Etymology Map
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Item

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means an individual article or unit

Where does the word "item" come from? It comes from Latin item, adopted directly into English (1560s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
item
Latin · ancient
"likewise, also"
an adverb used to begin each entry in a list
2
Stage 2 of 2
item
English · 1560s
"an individual thing"
turned into a noun for each thing listed
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Read the full story

Item’s story begins in Latin: item meant “likewise, also.” An adverb used to begin each entry in a list. It reached English by 1560s as item. Turned into a noun for each thing listed. Today, item means an individual article or unit.