Etymology Map
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Via

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means travelling through; by means of

Where does the word "via" come from? It comes from Latin via, adopted directly into English (1770s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
via
Latin · ancient
"road, way"
Roman roads like the Via Appia carried the name
2
Stage 2 of 2
via
English · 1770s
"by way of"
used as a preposition for 'by way of'
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Read the full story

Via’s story begins in Latin: via meant “road, way.” Roman roads like the Via Appia carried the name. It reached English by 1770s as via. Used as a preposition for 'by way of'. Today, via means travelling through; by means of.