tendon

Where does the word "tendon" come from? It comes from Greek tenon, passing through Medieval Latin before entering English (1500s).

Tendon’s story begins in Greek: tenon meant “to stretch.” The Achilles tendon is named after the Greek hero. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Medieval Latin as tendo. Medieval Latin 'tendo' was influenced by Latin 'tendere', to stretch. It reached English by 1500s as tendon. Settled as the English word for the tissue connecting muscle to bone. Today, tendon means a tough band of tissue connecting muscle to bone.

1. Stage 1 · Greek · ancient tenon "to stretch", the Achilles tendon is named after the Greek hero.
2. Stage 2 · Medieval Latin · medieval tendo "a stretched connective tissue", Medieval Latin 'tendo' was influenced by Latin 'tendere', to stretch.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1500s tendon "a tissue connecting muscle to bone", settled as the English word for the tissue connecting muscle to bone.