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Where does the word "perfume" come from? It comes from Latin per fumum, passing through French before entering English (1530s).
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Where does the word "perfume" come from? It comes from Latin per fumum, passing through French before entering English (1530s).
Perfume’s story begins in Latin: per fumum meant “through smoke.” Early perfumes were incense burned to release scent. By 1500s, the word had taken hold in French as parfum. Came through Italian 'perfumare'. It reached English by 1530s as perfume. Liquid perfumes date from the 1600s. Today, perfume means a fragrant liquid.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient per fumum "through smoke", early perfumes were incense burned to release scent.
- Stage 2 · French · 1500s parfum "perfume", came through Italian 'perfumare'.
- Stage 3 · English · 1530s perfume "scented smoke", liquid perfumes date from the 1600s.