Congressman
/ˈkɑːŋɡrəs.mən/noun
A male member of a legislative congress, especially the U.S. House of Representatives.
Did you know?The word congress entered English with both political and sexual meanings, because Latin congressus referred broadly to a coming together or encounter.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ghredh-
“To walk, step, or go”
Classical Latin
Latin
gradī
“To step or walk; the source of English words built around movement and progression”
Classical Latin
Latin
congredī
“To come together, meet, or encounter”
Late Latin
Latin
congressus
“A meeting, encounter, or coming together; also sexual union”
15th Century
English
congress
“A meeting or assembly; later, a legislative body”
18th Century
English
congressman
“A man belonging to a congress, especially a member of the U.S. Congress”
Modern English
English
congressman
“A male member of Congress, commonly the U.S. House of Representatives”