assiduous

Where does the word "assiduous" come from? It comes from Latin sedere, passing through Latin before entering English (1530s).

Assiduous’s story begins in Latin: sedere meant “to sit.” To sit, giving rise to assidere (to sit down beside, attend to). Within Latin, it grew into assiduus by ancient. Constantly sitting at one's task, diligent, from assidere. It reached English by 1530s as assiduous. Settled as the English word for showing great care and perseverance. Today, assiduous means showing great care, thoroughness, and perseverance in one's efforts.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient sedere "to sit", to sit, giving rise to assidere (to sit down beside, attend to).
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient assiduus "constantly at one's task, diligent", constantly sitting at one's task, diligent, from assidere.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1530s assiduous "showing great care, effort, and perseverance", settled as the English word for showing great care and perseverance.