jet

Where does the word "jet" come from? It comes from Latin iactare, passing through Old French before entering English (1400s).

Jet’s story begins in Latin: iactare meant “to throw repeatedly.” The root of 'reject', 'eject' and 'project'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as jeter. Carried into French for throwing or casting something forth. It reached English by 1400s as jet. Settled as the English word for a fast-moving stream shot forth, and later an aircraft engine. Today, jet means a fast, forceful stream of liquid or gas, or an aircraft powered by jet engines.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient iactare "to throw repeatedly", the root of 'reject', 'eject' and 'project'.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval jeter "to throw or cast something forth", carried into French for throwing or casting something forth.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1400s jet "a fast-moving stream shot forth, or a jet-engine aircraft", settled as the English word for a fast-moving stream shot forth, and later an aircraft engine.