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Today it means

fulminate

to express vehement protest

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Where does the word "fulminate" come from? It comes from Medieval Latin fulminare, and was adopted directly into English (1400s).

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Where does the word "fulminate" come from? It comes from Medieval Latin fulminare, and was adopted directly into English (1400s).

Fulminate’s story begins in Medieval Latin: fulminare meant “to strike with lightning.” From 'fulmen', lightning. It reached English by 1400s as fulminate. First used of papal condemnations. Today, fulminate means to express vehement protest.

  1. Stage 1 · Medieval Latin · medieval fulminare "to strike with lightning", from 'fulmen', lightning.
  2. Stage 2 · English · 1400s fulminate "to issue thunderous decrees", first used of papal condemnations.

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