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Hyphen

2 stages from Greek to English.

Today it means the sign (-) joining words

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

1
Stage 1 of 2
hyphen
Greek · ancient
"together"
Greek 'hyph' hen', under one: a sign joining syllables
2
Stage 2 of 2
hyphen
English · 1600s
"joining mark"
'hyphenated Americans' dates from the 1880s
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Read the full story

Hyphen’s story begins in Greek: hyphen meant “together.” Greek 'hyph' hen', under one: a sign joining syllables. It reached English by 1600s as hyphen. 'hyphenated Americans' dates from the 1880s. Today, hyphen means the sign (-) joining words.