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Fulcrum

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means the point on which a lever turns

Where does the word "fulcrum" come from? It comes from Latin fulcrum, adopted directly into English (1670s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
fulcrum
Latin · ancient
"bedpost, prop"
a bedpost, from 'fulcīre', to prop up
2
Stage 2 of 2
fulcrum
English · 1670s
"pivot"
taken into mechanics for the pivot of a lever
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Read the full story

Fulcrum’s story begins in Latin: fulcrum meant “bedpost, prop.” A bedpost, from 'fulcīre', to prop up. It reached English by 1670s as fulcrum. Taken into mechanics for the pivot of a lever. Today, fulcrum means the point on which a lever turns.