rage

Where does the word "rage" come from? It comes from Latin rabies, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

Rage’s story begins in Latin: rabies meant “madness, rabies.” From 'rabere', to rave. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as rage. Also meant rabies. It reached English by 1200s as rage. 'all the rage', very fashionable, dates from the 1780s. Today, rage means violent uncontrollable anger.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient rabies "madness, rabies", from 'rabere', to rave.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval rage "madness, fury", also meant rabies.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1200s rage "madness; fury", 'all the rage', very fashionable, dates from the 1780s.