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Integral

2 stages from Medieval Latin to English.

Today it means necessary to make a whole complete

Where does the word "integral" come from? It comes from Medieval Latin integralis, adopted directly into English (1550s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
integralis
Medieval Latin · medieval
"whole"
from 'integer', whole
2
Stage 2 of 2
integral
English · 1550s
"essential"
calculus 'integrals' date from the 1690s
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Read the full story

Integral’s story begins in Medieval Latin: integralis meant “whole.” From 'integer', whole. It reached English by 1550s as integral. Calculus 'integrals' date from the 1690s. Today, integral means necessary to make a whole complete.