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Where does the word "constant" come from? It comes from Latin constare, and was adopted directly into English (1300s).
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Where does the word "constant" come from? It comes from Latin constare, and was adopted directly into English (1300s).
Constant’s story begins in Latin: constare meant “to stand together, to be firm.” To stand together, to be firm, from com- (together) and stare (to stand). It reached English by 1300s as constant. Settled as the English word for something unchanging over time. Today, constant means occurring continuously, or remaining unchanged over time.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient constare "to stand together, to be firm", to stand together, to be firm, from com- (together) and stare (to stand).
- Stage 2 · English · 1300s constant "unchanging over time, steady", settled as the English word for something unchanging over time.