conspicuous

Where does the word "conspicuous" come from? It comes from Latin conspicere, passing through Latin before entering English (1540s).

Conspicuous’s story begins in Latin: conspicere meant “to look at attentively.” To look at attentively, from com- (thoroughly) and specere (to look). Within Latin, it grew into conspicuus by ancient. Visible, easily seen, from conspicere. It reached English by 1540s as conspicuous. Settled as the English word for something that stands out and attracts attention. Today, conspicuous means clearly visible or noticeable, standing out from its surroundings.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient conspicere "to look at attentively", to look at attentively, from com- (thoroughly) and specere (to look).
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient conspicuus "visible, easily seen", visible, easily seen, from conspicere.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1540s conspicuous "standing out and attracting attention", settled as the English word for something that stands out and attracts attention.