rapid

Where does the word "rapid" come from? It comes from Latin rapidus, passing through French before entering English (1630s).

Rapid’s story begins in Latin: rapidus meant “tearing away, swift.” From 'rapere', to seize, the root of 'rapture'. By 1600s, the word had taken hold in French as rapide. Latin 'rapidus' also meant snatching or fierce, from 'rapere', to seize, the root of 'rape' and 'rapture'. It reached English by 1630s as rapid. River 'rapids' date from the 1760s. Today, rapid means happening quickly.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient rapidus "tearing away, swift", from 'rapere', to seize, the root of 'rapture'.
2. Stage 2 · French · 1600s rapide "swift", Latin 'rapidus' also meant snatching or fierce, from 'rapere', to seize, the root of 'rape' and 'rapture'.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1630s rapid "swift", river 'rapids' date from the 1760s.