Etymology Map
Back to all words

Tumor

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a swelling caused by abnormal growth

Where does the word "tumor" come from? It comes from Latin tumor, adopted directly into English (1540s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
tumor
Latin · ancient
"swelling"
from 'tumere', to swell
2
Stage 2 of 2
tumor
English · 1540s
"swelling"
'tumescent' shares the root
Drag to pan · scroll to zoom
Read the full story

Tumor’s story begins in Latin: tumor meant “swelling.” From 'tumere', to swell. It reached English by 1540s as tumor. 'tumescent' shares the root. Today, tumor means a swelling caused by abnormal growth.