Viaduct
/ˈvaɪ.ə.dʌkt/noun
A bridge or raised roadway carrying a road or railway over a valley, road, or other obstacle.
Did you know?Viaduct was coined in English in the 19th century from Latin via (“road, way”) + ductus (“leading, carrying”), and that same duct- root also powers words about guidance, conduct, and even abducting someone away.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
via
“road, way”
Latin
Latin
ductus
“a leading, carrying; from ducere, “to lead””
19th Century
English
viaduct
“a structure carrying a road over a valley or obstacle”
Modern English
English
viaduct
“a bridge or raised roadway over a gap or low ground”