Etymology Map
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Latitude

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means the angular distance from the equator; freedom

Where does the word "latitude" come from? It comes from Latin latitudo, adopted directly into English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
latitudo
Latin · ancient
"breadth"
from 'latus', wide
2
Stage 2 of 2
latitude
English · 1300s
"breadth"
map latitudes date from the 1300s too
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Latitude’s story begins in Latin: latitudo meant “breadth.” From 'latus', wide. It reached English by 1300s as latitude. Map latitudes date from the 1300s too. Today, latitude means the angular distance from the equator; freedom.