Etymology Map
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Digest

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means to break down food in the body; a summary

Where does the word "digest" come from? It comes from Latin digerere, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
digerere
Latin · ancient
"to separate, arrange"
'dis-', apart, plus 'gerere', to carry
2
Stage 2 of 3
digerer
Old French · medieval
"to digest"
both arranging and breaking down food
3
Stage 3 of 3
digest
English · 1300s
"to break down food"
a 'digest' of news keeps the arranging sense
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Read the full story

Digest’s story begins in Latin: digerere meant “to separate, arrange.” 'dis-', apart, plus 'gerere', to carry. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as digerer. Both arranging and breaking down food. It reached English by 1300s as digest. A 'digest' of news keeps the arranging sense. Today, digest means to break down food in the body; a summary.