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Where does the word "liquid" come from? It comes from Latin liquidus, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).
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Where does the word "liquid" come from? It comes from Latin liquidus, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).
Liquid’s story begins in Latin: liquidus meant “fluid, clear.” From 'liquere', to be fluid. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as liquide. Phoneticians call 'l' and 'r' liquid consonants, a term from Greek grammar. It reached English by 1300s as liquid. 'liquid assets' dates from the 1800s. Today, liquid means a substance that flows freely.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient liquidus "fluid, clear", from 'liquere', to be fluid.
- Stage 2 · Old French · medieval liquide "fluid", phoneticians call 'l' and 'r' liquid consonants, a term from Greek grammar.
- Stage 3 · English · 1300s liquid "fluid", 'liquid assets' dates from the 1800s.