adjust

Where does the word "adjust" come from? It comes from Latin juxta, passing through Old French before entering English (1610s).

Adjust’s story begins in Latin: juxta meant “near, beside.” The source of Old French 'ajoster', to join, later confused with 'just'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as ajoster. A doublet of 'juxtapose', from Latin 'juxta', near. It reached English by 1610s as adjust. The spelling was remodelled on 'just', fair. Today, adjust means to alter slightly to fit.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient juxta "near, beside", the source of Old French 'ajoster', to join, later confused with 'just'.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval ajoster "to put side by side", a doublet of 'juxtapose', from Latin 'juxta', near.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1610s adjust "to arrange", the spelling was remodelled on 'just', fair.