desperado

Where does the word "desperado" come from? It comes from Spanish desesperado, and was adopted directly into English (1600s).

Desperado’s story begins in Spanish: desesperado meant “a desperate person.” Literally desperate, one driven to reckless action by despair. It reached English by 1600s as desperado. Settled as the word for a reckless outlaw, especially in the American West. Today, desperado means a desperate or bold outlaw, especially in the American Old West.

1. Stage 1 · Spanish · 1500s desesperado "a desperate person", literally desperate, one driven to reckless action by despair.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1600s desperado "a desperate or reckless outlaw", settled as the word for a reckless outlaw, especially in the American West.