Etymology Map
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Beauty

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a combination of qualities that pleases the senses

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

1
Stage 1 of 3
bellus
Latin · ancient
"pretty, fine"
originally a diminutive of 'bonus', good; used of pleasant, charming things
2
Stage 2 of 3
biauté
Old French · medieval
"beauty"
the Latin l became a vowel, as in 'beau'
3
Stage 3 of 3
beauty
English · 1300s
"loveliness"
replaced Old English 'wlite' as the standard word
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Read the full story

Beauty’s story begins in Latin: bellus meant “pretty, fine.” Originally a diminutive of 'bonus', good; used of pleasant, charming things. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as biauté. The Latin l became a vowel, as in 'beau'. It reached English by 1300s as beauty. Replaced Old English 'wlite' as the standard word. Today, beauty means a combination of qualities that pleases the senses.