prints
/prɪnts/
noun/verb
Origin
Latin
premere — to press
Overview
Meaning Now
- Marks made by pressure or an object on a surface.
- Photographic images produced from a negative or digital file.
- Published materials, such as books or newspapers (often used as 'in print').
Literal older meaning
marks or impressions
Language path
Latin → Old French → Middle English → English
Earliest form
preinte
Earliest period
14th century
Journey
The word entered English during the development of the printing press, which revolutionized the dissemination of knowledge. It evolved from the physical act of stamping or pressing a surface to represent the technology of book production.
Evolution
- Latin
premere
“to press”
- Old French
preinte
“impression”
Past participle of 'preindre'
- Middle English
printen
“to impress or stamp”
- Modern English
prints
“plural or third-person singular of print”
Connections
Word parts
root
to press
-s
ending
plural/verb third-person singular
Related across languages
French
empreinte
imprint/mark
Italian
premere
to press
Explore next
Related to prints
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.