Etymology Map
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Pomade

4 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a perfumed ointment used to style and condition the hair

Where does the word "pomade" come from? It comes from Latin pomum, passing through Italian and French before entering English (1560s).

1
Stage 1 of 4
pomum
Latin · ancient
"fruit, apple"
a plain word for fruit or apple
2
Stage 2 of 4
pomata
Italian · medieval
"an apple-based ointment"
named an ointment originally made with mashed apples
3
Stage 3 of 4
pommade
French · 1500s
"an ointment"
borrowed for a perfumed hair and skin ointment
4
Stage 4 of 4
pomade
English · 1560s
"a perfumed hair ointment"
adopted for a scented styling ointment for the hair
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