terminology

Where does the word "terminology" come from? It comes from Latin terminus, passing through German before entering English (1801).

Terminology’s story begins in Latin: terminus meant “a boundary, a limit.” A boundary, an endpoint, the root of a defined term. By 1700s, the word had taken hold in German as terminologie. Combined with Greek logos (study) in German academic vocabulary. It reached English by 1801 as terminology. Settled as the English word for the specific vocabulary of a field. Today, terminology means the specific set of terms used within a particular field or subject.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient terminus "a boundary, a limit", a boundary, an endpoint, the root of a defined term.
2. Stage 2 · German · 1700s terminologie "the system of terms used in a field", combined with Greek logos (study) in German academic vocabulary.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1801 terminology "the specific vocabulary used within a particular field", settled as the English word for the specific vocabulary of a field.