discrete

Where does the word "discrete" come from? It comes from Latin cernere, passing through Latin before entering English (1300s).

Discrete’s story begins in Latin: cernere meant “to sift, to distinguish.” To sift, to distinguish, combined with dis- (apart). Within Latin, it grew into discernere by ancient. The doublet 'discreet' comes from the same Latin word. It reached English by 1300s as discrete. Settled as the English word for something individually separate and distinct. Today, discrete means individually separate and distinct, not connected to other things.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient cernere "to sift, to distinguish", to sift, to distinguish, combined with dis- (apart).
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient discernere "to sift apart, to discern", the doublet 'discreet' comes from the same Latin word.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s discrete "individually separate and distinct", settled as the English word for something individually separate and distinct.