juxtapose

Where does the word "juxtapose" come from? It comes from Latin juxta, passing through French before entering English (1850s).

Juxtapose’s story begins in Latin: juxta meant “next to, beside.” Next to, beside, combined with ponere (to place). By 1600s, the word had taken hold in French as juxtaposer. Formed from juxta (beside) and poser (to place) for putting things side by side. It reached English by 1850s as juxtapose. From Latin 'juxta', near, plus French 'poser', to place. Today, juxtapose means to place two things side by side for comparison or contrast.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient juxta "next to, beside", next to, beside, combined with ponere (to place).
2. Stage 2 · French · 1600s juxtaposer "to put things side by side", formed from juxta (beside) and poser (to place) for putting things side by side.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1850s juxtapose "to place things close together for contrast or comparison", from Latin 'juxta', near, plus French 'poser', to place.