Etymology Map
Back to all words

Locus

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a particular position or place

Where does the word "locus" come from? It comes from Latin locus, adopted directly into English (1710s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
locus
Latin · ancient
"place"
the root of 'local' and 'location'
2
Stage 2 of 2
locus
English · 1710s
"place"
maths 'loci' date from the 1700s
Drag to pan · scroll to zoom
Read the full story

Locus’s story begins in Latin: locus meant “place.” The root of 'local' and 'location'. It reached English by 1710s as locus. Maths 'loci' date from the 1700s. Today, locus means a particular position or place.