Etymology Map
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Tedium

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means boredom

Where does the word "tedium" come from? It comes from Latin taedium, adopted directly into English (1660s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
taedium
Latin · ancient
"weariness"
from 'taedere', to weary
2
Stage 2 of 2
tedium
English · 1660s
"weariness"
'tedious' is older, from the 1400s
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Read the full story

Tedium’s story begins in Latin: taedium meant “weariness.” From 'taedere', to weary. It reached English by 1660s as tedium. 'tedious' is older, from the 1400s. Today, tedium means boredom.