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Where does the word "synonym" come from? It comes from Greek synōnymos, passing through Latin before entering English (1400s).
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Where does the word "synonym" come from? It comes from Greek synōnymos, passing through Latin before entering English (1400s).
Synonym’s story begins in Greek: synōnymos meant “having the same name.” 'syn', together, plus 'onyma', name. By ancient, the word had taken hold in Latin as synonymum. Used by grammarians. It reached English by 1400s as synonym. Came via French. Today, synonym means a word that means the same as another.
- Stage 1 · Greek · ancient synōnymos "having the same name", 'syn', together, plus 'onyma', name.
- Stage 2 · Latin · ancient synonymum "synonym", used by grammarians.
- Stage 3 · English · 1400s synonym "a word with the same meaning", came via French.