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Hiatus

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a pause or break

Where does the word "hiatus" come from? It comes from Latin hiatus, adopted directly into English (1560s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
hiatus
Latin · ancient
"gaping, opening"
from 'hiare', to gape
2
Stage 2 of 2
hiatus
English · 1560s
"gap"
'on hiatus' for a paused project dates from the 1900s
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Read the full story

Hiatus’s story begins in Latin: hiatus meant “gaping, opening.” From 'hiare', to gape. It reached English by 1560s as hiatus. 'on hiatus' for a paused project dates from the 1900s. Today, hiatus means a pause or break.