press

Where does the word "press" come from? It comes from Latin pressare, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

Press’s story begins in Latin: pressare meant “to press.” A frequentative of 'premere', to squeeze. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as presser. A crowd pressing forward. It reached English by 1300s as press. The printing press of the 1400s gave 'the press' for journalism. Today, press means to push steadily against; the news media.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient pressare "to press", a frequentative of 'premere', to squeeze.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval presser "to press, crowd", a crowd pressing forward.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s press "to push; a crowd", the printing press of the 1400s gave 'the press' for journalism.