Etymology Map
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Press

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means to push steadily against; the news media

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

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

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.