Etymology Map
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Passion

3 stages from Late Latin to English.

Today it means strong emotion; intense enthusiasm

Where does the word "passion" come from? It comes from Late Latin passio, passing through Old French before entering English (1100s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
passio
Late Latin · ancient
"suffering"
from 'pati', to suffer, the root of 'patient'
2
Stage 2 of 3
passion
Old French · medieval
"suffering of Christ"
the Passion of Christ
3
Stage 3 of 3
passion
English · 1100s
"suffering"
the sense 'strong emotion' dates from the 1500s
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Read the full story

Passion’s story begins in Late Latin: passio meant “suffering.” From 'pati', to suffer, the root of 'patient'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as passion. The Passion of Christ. It reached English by 1100s as passion. The sense 'strong emotion' dates from the 1500s. Today, passion means strong emotion; intense enthusiasm.