concert

Where does the word "concert" come from? It comes from Latin concertare, passing through Italian and French before entering English (1660s-1680s).

Concert’s story begins in Latin: concertare meant “to contend with zealously, dispute.” Con- 'together' plus certare 'to contend, strive' - originally about zealous conflict. By 1500s, the word had taken hold in Italian as concertare. The combative Latin sense flipped to cooperative agreement. From there it passed into French as concert by 1500s. The sense 'musical performance' came from Italian 'concerto'; public concerts began in London in the 1670s. It reached English by 1660s-1680s as concert. Entered for agreement in design or plan, then specialized to a public musical performance. Today, concert means a live musical performance.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient concertare "to contend with zealously, dispute", con- 'together' plus certare 'to contend, strive' - originally about zealous conflict.
2. Stage 2 · Italian · 1500s concertare "to bring into agreement", the combative Latin sense flipped to cooperative agreement.
3. Stage 3 · French · 1500s concert "agreement, harmony", the sense 'musical performance' came from Italian 'concerto'; public concerts began in London in the 1670s.
4. Stage 4 · English · 1660s-1680s concert "a live musical performance", entered for agreement in design or plan, then specialized to a public musical performance.