Etymology Map
Back to all words

Rabies

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a fatal viral disease of animals

Where does the word "rabies" come from? It comes from Latin rabies, adopted directly into English (1590s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
rabies
Latin · ancient
"madness"
from 'rabere', to rave
2
Stage 2 of 2
rabies
English · 1590s
"madness"
the root of 'rage'
Drag to pan · scroll to zoom
Read the full story

Rabies’s story begins in Latin: rabies meant “madness.” From 'rabere', to rave. It reached English by 1590s as rabies. The root of 'rage'. Today, rabies means a fatal viral disease of animals.