Etymology Map
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Rage

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means violent uncontrollable anger

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

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

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.