EtymologyMap
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Today it means

temporary

lasting or effective for a limited time only

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Where does the word "temporary" come from? It comes from Latin temporarius, and was adopted directly into English (1500s).

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Where does the word "temporary" come from? It comes from Latin temporarius, and was adopted directly into English (1500s).

Temporary’s story begins in Latin: temporarius meant “lasting only for a time.” Lasting only for a time, from tempus (time). It reached English by 1500s as temporary. Settled as the English word for something lasting only a limited time. Today, temporary means lasting or effective for a limited time only.

  1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient temporarius "lasting only for a time", lasting only for a time, from tempus (time).
  2. Stage 2 · English · 1500s temporary "lasting for a limited time only", settled as the English word for something lasting only a limited time.

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