Etymology Map
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Tacit

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means understood without being stated

Where does the word "tacit" come from? It comes from Latin tacitus, adopted directly into English (1600s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
tacitus
Latin · ancient
"silent"
from 'tacere', to be silent, the root of 'taciturn'
2
Stage 2 of 2
tacit
English · 1600s
"silent"
'tacit approval' dates from the 1600s
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Read the full story

Tacit’s story begins in Latin: tacitus meant “silent.” From 'tacere', to be silent, the root of 'taciturn'. It reached English by 1600s as tacit. 'tacit approval' dates from the 1600s. Today, tacit means understood without being stated.