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Imprimatur

2 stages from Modern Latin to English.

Today it means an official licence to print a book; official approval

Where does the word "imprimatur" come from? It comes from Modern Latin imprimātur, adopted directly into English (1640s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
imprimātur
Modern Latin · 1500s
"let it be printed"
'let it be printed', the formula by which Catholic Church censors licensed books after the invention of printing
2
Stage 2 of 2
imprimatur
English · 1640s
"official approval"
John Milton's 'Areopagitica' (1644) mocked the imprimaturs required under England's licensing laws
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Read the full story

Imprimatur’s story begins in Modern Latin: imprimātur meant “let it be printed.” 'let it be printed', the formula by which Catholic Church censors licensed books after the invention of printing. It reached English by 1640s as imprimatur. John Milton's 'Areopagitica' (1644) mocked the imprimaturs required under England's licensing laws. Today, imprimatur means an official licence to print a book; official approval.