Etymology Map
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Passage

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a way through; a section of text

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

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

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.