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Where does the word "radical" come from? It comes from Late Latin radicalis, and was adopted directly into English (1300s).
Read the full story
Where does the word "radical" come from? It comes from Late Latin radicalis, and was adopted directly into English (1300s).
Radical’s story begins in Late Latin: radicalis meant “of roots.” From 'radix', root, the root of 'radish'. It reached English by 1300s as radical. Political 'radicals' date from the 1800s. Today, radical means relating to the fundamental nature; favouring drastic change.
- Stage 1 · Late Latin · ancient radicalis "of roots", from 'radix', root, the root of 'radish'.
- Stage 2 · English · 1300s radical "of roots", political 'radicals' date from the 1800s.