Structure
/ˈstrʌk.tʃər/noun
The arrangement or organization of parts into a whole; a built form or framework.
Did you know?Structure comes from Latin *structura*, from *struere* meaning “to pile up, arrange, build,” the same root behind several words tied to construction and strategy in ancient Rome.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*streu-
“to spread out, strew, extend”
Latin
Latin
struere
“to pile up, heap together, build, arrange”
Latin
Latin
structura
“a fitting together; arrangement; building”
Old French
Old French
structure
“a building, arrangement, or manner of construction”
Late Middle English
English
structure
“a building or constructed form”
Modern English
English
structure
“the arrangement or organization of parts into a whole”
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