replica

Where does the word "replica" come from? It comes from Latin replicare, passing through Italian before entering English (1824-1865).

Replica’s story begins in Latin: replicare meant “to fold back; to repeat.” Re- 'back' plus plicare 'to fold' - literally to fold back. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Italian as replica. Narrowed to a repetition or copy, especially an artist's own duplicate of a work. It reached English by 1824-1865 as replica. Entered for an artist's authorized duplicate, later widened to any close copy. Today, replica means an exact copy or reproduction of something.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient replicare "to fold back; to repeat", re- 'back' plus plicare 'to fold' - literally to fold back.
2. Stage 2 · Italian · medieval replica "a copy, repetition, reply", narrowed to a repetition or copy, especially an artist's own duplicate of a work.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1824-1865 replica "an exact copy or reproduction", entered for an artist's authorized duplicate, later widened to any close copy.