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Glossary

2 stages from Greek to English.

Today it means an alphabetical list of terms with definitions

Where does the word "glossary" come from? It comes from Greek glōssa, adopted directly into English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
glōssa
Greek · ancient
"tongue, obscure word"
Greek; a 'gloss' explained a difficult word
2
Stage 2 of 2
glossary
English · 1300s
"list of hard words"
came via Latin 'glossarium'
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Glossary’s story begins in Greek: glōssa meant “tongue, obscure word.” Greek; a 'gloss' explained a difficult word. It reached English by 1300s as glossary. Came via Latin 'glossarium'. Today, glossary means an alphabetical list of terms with definitions.