Etymology Map
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Viscous

2 stages from Late Latin to English.

Today it means thick and sticky

Where does the word "viscous" come from? It comes from Late Latin viscosus, adopted directly into English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
viscosus
Late Latin · ancient
"sticky"
from 'viscum', birdlime made from mistletoe
2
Stage 2 of 2
viscous
English · 1300s
"sticky"
'viscosity' dates from the 1400s
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Read the full story

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.