Etymology Map
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Germinate

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means to begin to grow

Where does the word "germinate" come from? It comes from Latin germinare, adopted directly into English (1580s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
germinare
Latin · ancient
"to sprout"
from 'germen', seed, the root of 'germ'
2
Stage 2 of 2
germinate
English · 1580s
"to sprout"
'germ' as microbe dates from the 1800s
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Read the full story

Germinate’s story begins in Latin: germinare meant “to sprout.” From 'germen', seed, the root of 'germ'. It reached English by 1580s as germinate. 'germ' as microbe dates from the 1800s. Today, germinate means to begin to grow.