apt

Where does the word "apt" come from? It comes from Latin apere, passing through Latin before entering English (1400s).

Apt’s story begins in Latin: apere meant “to fasten, to attach.” The root of 'adapt' and 'aptitude'. Within Latin, it grew into aptus by ancient. Fit, suitable, well-attached, from apere. It reached English by 1400s as apt. Settled as the English word for something appropriate or likely. Today, apt means appropriate in the circumstances, or having a tendency to do something.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient apere "to fasten, to attach", the root of 'adapt' and 'aptitude'.
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient aptus "fit, suitable, well-attached", fit, suitable, well-attached, from apere.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1400s apt "appropriate, or likely to do something", settled as the English word for something appropriate or likely.