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Stylus

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a pointed tool for writing or touchscreens

Where does the word "stylus" come from? It comes from Latin stylus, adopted directly into English (1690s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
stylus
Latin · ancient
"writing stake"
a misspelling of 'stilus' influenced by Greek 'stylos', pillar
2
Stage 2 of 2
stylus
English · 1690s
"writing tool"
record-player styluses date from the 1900s
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Read the full story

Stylus’s story begins in Latin: stylus meant “writing stake.” A misspelling of 'stilus' influenced by Greek 'stylos', pillar. It reached English by 1690s as stylus. Record-player styluses date from the 1900s. Today, stylus means a pointed tool for writing or touchscreens.