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Where does the word "part" come from? It comes from Latin pars, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).
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Where does the word "part" come from? It comes from Latin pars, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).
Part’s story begins in Latin: pars meant “part, share.” Also the root of 'particle' and 'party'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as part. Used for sides in a dispute. It reached English by 1200s as part. 'part' as a role in a play dates from the 1500s. Today, part means a piece of something.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient pars "part, share", also the root of 'particle' and 'party'.
- Stage 2 · Old French · medieval part "share, side", used for sides in a dispute.
- Stage 3 · English · 1200s part "portion", 'part' as a role in a play dates from the 1500s.