The Spanish word 'salto' meaning 'jump' or 'leap' comes directly from the Latin word 'saltus', which had the same meaning. This is a straightforward inheritance where both the form and meaning have remained remarkably stable over time from Latin to Spanish.

Several common Spanish words share this Latin root, including 'saltar' (to jump), which is actually more commonly used than 'salto'. You'll also find it in 'asalto' (assault, which originally meant 'to leap at'), and 'resaltar' (to highlight or stand out, literally 'to jump again' or 'jump forward').

In English, we can find this same Latin root in several words, including 'somersault' (which literally means 'over-jump'), 'assault' (from Latin 'assaltus', meaning 'to leap at'), and 'saltation' (a scientific term for jumping or dancing). The word 'sally' meaning 'a sudden charge' also comes from this Latin root.