passage

Where does the word "passage" come from? It comes from Latin passus, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

Passage’s story begins in Latin: passus meant “step.” The root of 'pace' and 'pass'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as passage. A way through. It reached English by 1200s as passage. 'passage' in a book dates from the 1600s. Today, passage means a way through; a section of text.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient passus "step", the root of 'pace' and 'pass'.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval passage "passage", a way through.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1200s passage "a way through", 'passage' in a book dates from the 1600s.