Etymology Map
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Global

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means relating to the whole world

Where does the word "global" come from? It comes from Latin globus, passing through French before entering English (1670s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
globus
Latin · ancient
"sphere"
the root of 'globe'
2
Stage 2 of 3
global
French · 1600s
"spherical"
a learned formation
3
Stage 3 of 3
global
English · 1670s
"spherical"
'global warming' dates from the 1970s
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Read the full story

Global’s story begins in Latin: globus meant “sphere.” The root of 'globe'. By 1600s, the word had taken hold in French as global. A learned formation. It reached English by 1670s as global. 'global warming' dates from the 1970s. Today, global means relating to the whole world.