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Where does the word "viscous" come from? It comes from Late Latin viscosus, and was adopted directly into English (1300s).
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Where does the word "viscous" come from? It comes from Late Latin viscosus, and was adopted directly into English (1300s).
Viscous’s story begins in Late Latin: viscosus meant “sticky.” From 'viscum', birdlime made from mistletoe. It reached English by 1300s as viscous. 'viscosity' dates from the 1400s. Today, viscous means thick and sticky.
- Stage 1 · Late Latin · ancient viscosus "sticky", from 'viscum', birdlime made from mistletoe.
- Stage 2 · English · 1300s viscous "sticky", 'viscosity' dates from the 1400s.