agenda

Overview

Meaning Now

• A list of items to be discussed or acted upon at a formal meeting.
• An underlying often ideological plan or program.

Journey

In Latin, 'agenda' was the plural of 'agendum'. In ecclesiastical contexts, it referred specifically to the 'things to be done' during a church service, often synonymous with a liturgical manual. It entered English in the 17th century, where it evolved from a plural to a singular noun referring to a meeting schedule.

Evolution

1. Proto-Indo-European

   *h₂eǵ-

   “to drive, draw out or forth, move”

2. Latin

   agendum

   “a thing which ought to be done”

   Gerundive form of agere

3. Latin

   agenda

   “things to be done”

   Plural of agendum

4. English

   agenda

   “a list of business for a meeting”

   Initially treated as a plural, later became a singular collective noun

Connections

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