mutate

Where does the word "mutate" come from? It comes from Latin mutare, passing through Latin before entering English (1600s).

Mutate’s story begins in Latin: mutare meant “to change.” The root of 'mutual', 'commute' and 'moult'. Within Latin, it grew into mutare by ancient. With irregular past participle mutatus, describing something changed. It reached English by 1600s as mutate. Settled as the English word for undergoing a significant change, especially genetically. Today, mutate means to undergo a significant change in form or character, especially in genetics.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient mutare "to change", the root of 'mutual', 'commute' and 'moult'.
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient mutare "changed", with irregular past participle mutatus, describing something changed.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1600s mutate "to undergo a significant change, especially genetically", settled as the English word for undergoing a significant change, especially genetically.