momentum

Where does the word "momentum" come from? It comes from Latin movimentum, and was adopted directly into English (1690s).

Momentum’s story begins in Latin: movimentum meant “movement.” Movement, from movere (to move). It reached English by 1690s as momentum. Newton defined it as 'quantity of motion' in the 'Principia' (1687). Today, momentum means the quantity of motion of a moving object, or figuratively, forward drive.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient movimentum "movement", movement, from movere (to move).
2. Stage 2 · English · 1690s momentum "the quantity of motion of a moving body", Newton defined it as 'quantity of motion' in the 'Principia' (1687).