cadet

Where does the word "cadet" come from? It comes from Latin caput, passing through Gascon and French before entering English (1600s-1700s).

Cadet’s story begins in Latin: caput meant “head.” By medieval, the word had taken hold in Gascon as capdet. Literally "little chief", a younger son of a noble family. From there it passed into French as cadet by 1600s. Applied to younger sons who entered military service. It reached English by 1600s-1700s as cadet. From Gascon 'capdet', little chief, used for younger sons of nobles who served as officers. Today, cadet means a trainee in the armed forces or a similar organization.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient caput "head", meaning "head".
2. Stage 2 · Gascon · medieval capdet "little chief, younger son", literally "little chief", a younger son of a noble family.
3. Stage 3 · French · 1600s cadet "a younger son; a junior military trainee", applied to younger sons who entered military service.
4. Stage 4 · English · 1600s-1700s cadet "a trainee in military or police service", from Gascon 'capdet', little chief, used for younger sons of nobles who served as officers.