Etymology Map
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Tolerate

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means to allow without interfering

Where does the word "tolerate" come from? It comes from Latin tolerare, adopted directly into English (1530s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
tolerare
Latin · ancient
"to bear, endure"
related to 'tollere', to lift
2
Stage 2 of 2
tolerate
English · 1530s
"to endure"
'tolerance' followed
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Read the full story

Tolerate’s story begins in Latin: tolerare meant “to bear, endure.” Related to 'tollere', to lift. It reached English by 1530s as tolerate. 'tolerance' followed. Today, tolerate means to allow without interfering.