tao

Where does the word "tao" come from? It comes from Chinese dao, and was adopted directly into English (1700s).

Tao’s story begins in Chinese: dao meant “the way, the path.” Literally the way or path, the central concept of Taoist philosophy. It reached English by 1700s as tao. Chinese 'way'; Laozi's 'Tao Te Ching' is the founding text. Today, tao means the fundamental principle underlying the universe in Chinese philosophy.

1. Stage 1 · Chinese · ancient dao "the way, the path", literally the way or path, the central concept of Taoist philosophy.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1700s tao "the guiding principle or way of Taoist philosophy", Chinese 'way'; Laozi's 'Tao Te Ching' is the founding text.