Temps
/tɛmps/noun
Temporary workers, or people employed for a limited period.
Did you know?The employment sense of “temp” emerged in 20th-century English as a shortening of “temporary,” ultimately tracing back to Latin tempus, meaning “time.”
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*temp-
“To stretch or extend; a proposed ancient root connected with notions of time and duration.”
Classical Latin
Latin
tempus
“Time, a period, or a suitable moment.”
Late Latin
Latin
temporarius
“Belonging to time; lasting only for a limited period.”
15th Century
English
temporary
“Existing or lasting only for a limited time.”
20th Century
English
temp
“A shortened form of temporary, especially a temporary employee.”
Modern English
English
temps
“Plural of temp: temporary workers.”
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