Etymology Map
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Pause

3 stages from Greek to English.

Today it means a temporary stop in action or speech

Where does the word "pause" come from? It comes from Greek pausis, passing through Latin before entering English (1400s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
pausis
Greek · ancient
"stopping"
from 'pauein', to stop
2
Stage 2 of 3
pausa
Latin · ancient
"halt"
a halt
3
Stage 3 of 3
pause
English · 1400s
"a temporary stop"
the same root gives 'menopause'
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Read the full story

Pause’s story begins in Greek: pausis meant “stopping.” From 'pauein', to stop. By ancient, the word had taken hold in Latin as pausa. A halt. It reached English by 1400s as pause. The same root gives 'menopause'. Today, pause means a temporary stop in action or speech.