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Where does the word "imminent" come from? It comes from Latin imminens, and was adopted directly into English (1520s).
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Where does the word "imminent" come from? It comes from Latin imminens, and was adopted directly into English (1520s).
Imminent’s story begins in Latin: imminens meant “overhanging.” Present participle of 'imminere', to project over. It reached English by 1520s as imminent. 'imminent danger' dates from the 1600s. Today, imminent means about to happen.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient imminens "overhanging", present participle of 'imminere', to project over.
- Stage 2 · English · 1520s imminent "overhanging", 'imminent danger' dates from the 1600s.