liaison

Where does the word "liaison" come from? It comes from French liaison, and was adopted directly into English (1640s).

Liaison’s story begins in French: liaison meant “a binding, a connection.” A binding, connection, from lier (to bind, to tie). It reached English by 1640s as liaison. Settled as the English word for a communicative link between groups. Today, liaison means a communication or cooperation link between groups, or a romantic affair.

1. Stage 1 · French · 1600s liaison "a binding, a connection", a binding, connection, from lier (to bind, to tie).
2. Stage 2 · English · 1640s liaison "a communication link between groups or people", settled as the English word for a communicative link between groups.