decadent

Where does the word "decadent" come from? It comes from Latin cadere, passing through Late Latin and French before entering English (1830s).

Decadent’s story begins in Latin: cadere meant “to fall.” To fall, combined with de- (down). By medieval, the word had taken hold in Late Latin as decadere. To fall down, to decline, from de- and cadere. From there it passed into French as decadent by 1800s. Carried into French for a state of moral or cultural decline, later self-indulgent luxury. It reached English by 1830s as decadent. The 'Decadent' poets such as Verlaine embraced the label in 1880s France. Today, decadent means excessively self-indulgent, especially in luxury and pleasure.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient cadere "to fall", to fall, combined with de- (down).
2. Stage 2 · Late Latin · medieval decadere "to fall down, to decline", to fall down, to decline, from de- and cadere.
3. Stage 3 · French · 1800s decadent "a state of decline, or self-indulgent luxury", carried into French for a state of moral or cultural decline, later self-indulgent luxury.
4. Stage 4 · English · 1830s decadent "excessively self-indulgent, or in a state of moral or cultural decline", the 'Decadent' poets such as Verlaine embraced the label in 1880s France.