Etymology Map
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Hybrid

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means the offspring of two different species

Where does the word "hybrid" come from? It comes from Latin hybrida, adopted directly into English (1600s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
hybrida
Latin · ancient
"mongrel"
offspring of a tame sow and wild boar, possibly influenced by Greek 'hybris'
2
Stage 2 of 2
hybrid
English · 1600s
"crossbreed"
'hybrid' cars date from the 1990s
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Read the full story

Hybrid’s story begins in Latin: hybrida meant “mongrel.” Offspring of a tame sow and wild boar, possibly influenced by Greek 'hybris'. It reached English by 1600s as hybrid. 'hybrid' cars date from the 1990s. Today, hybrid means the offspring of two different species.