Etymology Map
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Normal

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means conforming to a standard; usual

Where does the word "normal" come from? It comes from Latin normalis, adopted directly into English (1500s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
normalis
Latin · ancient
"made with a carpenter's square"
from 'norma', a carpenter's square
2
Stage 2 of 2
normal
English · 1500s
"perpendicular"
the sense 'usual' dates from the 1800s
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Read the full story

Normal’s story begins in Latin: normalis meant “made with a carpenter's square.” From 'norma', a carpenter's square. It reached English by 1500s as normal. The sense 'usual' dates from the 1800s. Today, normal means conforming to a standard; usual.