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Polar

2 stages from Medieval Latin to English.

Today it means relating to the North or South Pole

Where does the word "polar" come from? It comes from Medieval Latin polaris, adopted directly into English (1550s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
polaris
Medieval Latin · medieval
"of the poles"
from 'polus', pole, from Greek 'polos', axis
2
Stage 2 of 2
polar
English · 1550s
"of the poles"
'polar bear' dates from the 1780s
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Read the full story

Polar’s story begins in Medieval Latin: polaris meant “of the poles.” From 'polus', pole, from Greek 'polos', axis. It reached English by 1550s as polar. 'polar bear' dates from the 1780s. Today, polar means relating to the North or South Pole.