deform

Where does the word "deform" come from? It comes from Latin forma, passing through Latin before entering English (1400s).

Deform’s story begins in Latin: forma meant “shape, mold.” Shape, mold, combined with de- (away, reversal). Within Latin, it grew into deformare by ancient. To disfigure, to distort shape, from de- and formare. It reached English by 1400s as deform. Settled as the English word for spoiling the natural shape of something. Today, deform means to distort or spoil the natural shape of something.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient forma "shape, mold", shape, mold, combined with de- (away, reversal).
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient deformare "to disfigure, to distort shape", to disfigure, to distort shape, from de- and formare.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1400s deform "to spoil the natural shape of something", settled as the English word for spoiling the natural shape of something.