adverse

Where does the word "adverse" come from? It comes from Latin adversus, and was adopted directly into English (1300s).

Adverse’s story begins in Latin: adversus meant “turned against.” 'ad-' plus 'vertere', to turn. It reached English by 1300s as adverse. First recorded before 1393 in the work of the poet John Gower, who wrote in French and Latin as well as English; 'adversary' shares the root. Today, adverse means harmful; unfavourable.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient adversus "turned against", 'ad-' plus 'vertere', to turn.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1300s adverse "hostile", first recorded before 1393 in the work of the poet John Gower, who wrote in French and Latin as well as English; 'adversary' shares the root.