Etymology Map
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Adjust

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means to alter slightly to fit

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

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

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.