peninsula

Where does the word "peninsula" come from? It comes from Latin paene insula, and was adopted directly into English (1550s).

Peninsula’s story begins in Latin: paene insula meant “almost an island.” Literally almost an island, from paene (almost) and insula (island). It reached English by 1550s as peninsula. Latin 'paene', almost, plus 'insula', island. Today, peninsula means a piece of land projecting into water, connected to the mainland.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient paene insula "almost an island", literally almost an island, from paene (almost) and insula (island).
2. Stage 2 · English · 1550s peninsula "a piece of land almost surrounded by water", Latin 'paene', almost, plus 'insula', island.