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Alter

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means to change

Where does the word "alter" come from? It comes from Latin alterare, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

alterare→alterer→alter

Latin · ancient

from 'alter', other

Old French · medieval

reached English in the late 1300s; the sense 'to become different' only appears in the 1580s

English · 1300s

'alter ego' is pure Latin, 'other self'

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Alter’s story begins in Latin: alterare meant “to change.” From 'alter', other. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as alterer. Reached English in the late 1300s; the sense 'to become different' only appears in the 1580s. It reached English by 1300s as alter. 'alter ego' is pure Latin, 'other self'. Today, alter means to change.