decent

Where does the word "decent" come from? It comes from Latin decere, passing through French before entering English (1530s).

Decent’s story begins in Latin: decere meant “to be fitting.” The root of 'decorum'. By 1500s, the word had taken hold in French as decent. At first it meant proper to one's rank or station; the sense 'good enough' dates from 1711. It reached English by 1530s as decent. The sense 'fairly good' dates from the 1700s. Today, decent means conforming to accepted standards; fairly good.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient decere "to be fitting", the root of 'decorum'.
2. Stage 2 · French · 1500s decent "suitable", at first it meant proper to one's rank or station; the sense 'good enough' dates from 1711.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1530s decent "fitting", the sense 'fairly good' dates from the 1700s.