Etymology Map
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Rapid

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means happening quickly

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

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

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.