Etymology Map
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Process

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a series of actions toward a result

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

1
Stage 1 of 3
processus
Latin · ancient
"advance, progress"
from 'procedere', to go forward
2
Stage 2 of 3
proces
Old French · medieval
"course, lawsuit"
legal proceedings
3
Stage 3 of 3
process
English · 1300s
"course of action"
'processor' for computers dates from the 1900s
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Read the full story

Process’s story begins in Latin: processus meant “advance, progress.” From 'procedere', to go forward. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as proces. Legal proceedings. It reached English by 1300s as process. 'processor' for computers dates from the 1900s. Today, process means a series of actions toward a result.