operation

Where does the word "operation" come from? It comes from Latin opus, passing through Latin before entering English (1300s).

Operation’s story begins in Latin: opus meant “work.” Work, giving rise to operari (to work). Within Latin, it grew into operatio by ancient. A working, an action, from operari. It reached English by 1300s as operation. Settled as the English word for a process of working, or a surgical procedure. Today, operation means an organized activity or process, or a surgical procedure.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient opus "work", work, giving rise to operari (to work).
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient operatio "a working, an action", a working, an action, from operari.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s operation "a process of working, or a surgical procedure", settled as the English word for a process of working, or a surgical procedure.