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Pylon

2 stages from Greek to English.

Today it means a tall tower carrying power cables

Where does the word "pylon" come from? It comes from Greek pylōn, adopted directly into English (1820s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
pylōn
Greek · ancient
"gateway"
Greek, the monumental gateway of an Egyptian temple
2
Stage 2 of 2
pylon
English · 1820s
"temple gateway"
electricity pylons date from the 1920s
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Read the full story

Pylon’s story begins in Greek: pylōn meant “gateway.” Greek, the monumental gateway of an Egyptian temple. It reached English by 1820s as pylon. Electricity pylons date from the 1920s. Today, pylon means a tall tower carrying power cables.