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Lethal

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means sufficient to cause death

Where does the word "lethal" come from? It comes from Latin letalis, adopted directly into English (1580s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
letalis
Latin · ancient
"deadly"
from 'letum', death
2
Stage 2 of 2
lethal
English · 1580s
"deadly"
'lethal injection' dates from the 1970s
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Lethal’s story begins in Latin: letalis meant “deadly.” From 'letum', death. It reached English by 1580s as lethal. 'lethal injection' dates from the 1970s. Today, lethal means sufficient to cause death.