Etymology Map
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Space

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a continuous area; the universe beyond Earth

Where does the word "space" come from? It comes from Latin spatium, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
spatium
Latin · ancient
"room, extent"
possibly related to 'patere', to be open
2
Stage 2 of 3
espace
Old French · medieval
"space, time period"
also meant a span of time
3
Stage 3 of 3
space
English · 1300s
"an interval"
'outer space' dates from the 1840s
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Read the full story

Space’s story begins in Latin: spatium meant “room, extent.” Possibly related to 'patere', to be open. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as espace. Also meant a span of time. It reached English by 1300s as space. 'outer space' dates from the 1840s. Today, space means a continuous area; the universe beyond Earth.