Etymology Map
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Unit

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a single thing; a standard quantity

Where does the word "unit" come from? It comes from Latin unitas, passing through Old French before entering English (1570s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
unitas
Latin · ancient
"oneness"
from 'unus', one
2
Stage 2 of 3
unité
Old French · medieval
"oneness"
gave English 'unity'
3
Stage 3 of 3
unit
English · 1570s
"a single thing"
John Dee coined 'unit' from 'unity' in 1570 to translate Euclid
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Read the full story

Unit’s story begins in Latin: unitas meant “oneness.” From 'unus', one. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as unité. Gave English 'unity'. It reached English by 1570s as unit. John Dee coined 'unit' from 'unity' in 1570 to translate Euclid. Today, unit means a single thing; a standard quantity.