herbivore

Where does the word "herbivore" come from? It comes from Latin herba, and was adopted directly into English (1830s).

Herbivore’s story begins in Latin: herba meant “grass, a plant.” Grass, a plant, combined with vorare (to devour). It reached English by 1830s as herbivore. From Latin 'herba', plant, plus 'vorare', to devour. Today, herbivore means an animal that feeds primarily on plants.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient herba "grass, a plant", grass, a plant, combined with vorare (to devour).
2. Stage 2 · English · 1830s herbivore "an animal that primarily eats plants", from Latin 'herba', plant, plus 'vorare', to devour.