Etymology Map
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Impact

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a collision; a strong effect

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

1
Stage 1 of 2
impactus
Latin · ancient
"pushed against"
past participle of 'impingere', to push against
2
Stage 2 of 2
impact
English · 1600s
"collision"
the figurative sense 'strong effect' dates from the 1800s
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Impact’s story begins in Latin: impactus meant “pushed against.” Past participle of 'impingere', to push against. It reached English by 1600s as impact. The figurative sense 'strong effect' dates from the 1800s. Today, impact means a collision; a strong effect.