milky way | Search Online Etymology Dictionary

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1779, from Latin via "by way of," ablative form of via "way, road, path, highway, channel, course" (from PIE root *wegh- "to go, move, transport in a vehicle," which is also the source of English way (n.)).

crossway (n.)

also cross-way, c. 1300, "a crossroad," from cross- + way (n.). Crossways (adv.) "crosswise, transversely," with adverbial genitive -s, is from c. 1300.

Shinto (n.)

native religious system of Japan, 1727, from Chinese shin tao "way of the gods," from shin "god, gods, spirit" + tao "way, path, doctrine." Related: Shintoism.

pioneer (v.)

"to lead or prepare the way to or for, go before and open (a way)," 1780, from pioneer (n.). Related: Pioneered; pioneering.

Taoism (n.)

religious system founded by Lao Tzu (b. 604 B.C.E.), 1838, from Chinese tao "way, path, right way (of life), reason" + -ism.

stairway (n.)

1767, from stair + way (n.).

sayonara

"farewell, good-bye," 1875, from Japanese, said to mean literally "if it is to be that way," from sayo "that way," + nara "if."

freeway (n.)

1930, from free (adj.) + way (n.).

latex (n.)

1660s, "body fluid," from Latin latex (genitive laticis) "liquid, a liquid, fluid," probably from Greek latax "dregs," from PIE root *lat- "wet, moist" (source also of Middle Irish laith "beer," Welsh llaid "mud, mire," Lithuanian latakas "pool, puddle," Old Norse leþja "filth").

From 1835 as "milky liquid from plants." Meaning "water-dispersed polymer particles" (used in rubber goods, paints, etc.) is from 1937. As an adjective by 1954, in place of the classically correct laticiferous.

hallway (n.)

1839, from hall + way (n.).

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