Etymology Map
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Libido

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means sexual desire

Where does the word "libido" come from? It comes from Latin libido, adopted directly into English (1909).

1
Stage 1 of 2
libido
Latin · ancient
"desire, lust"
from 'libere', to please
2
Stage 2 of 2
libido
English · 1909
"sexual desire"
taken up by Freud's translators
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Read the full story

Libido’s story begins in Latin: libido meant “desire, lust.” From 'libere', to please. It reached English by 1909 as libido. Taken up by Freud's translators. Today, libido means sexual desire.