Etymology Map
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Divine

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means relating to God; excellent

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

1
Stage 1 of 3
divinus
Latin · ancient
"of a god"
from 'divus', god
2
Stage 2 of 3
devin
Old French · medieval
"divine"
relating to God
3
Stage 3 of 3
divine
English · 1300s
"godly"
'divine' as 'delightful' dates from the 1500s
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Read the full story

Divine’s story begins in Latin: divinus meant “of a god.” From 'divus', god. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as devin. Relating to God. It reached English by 1300s as divine. 'divine' as 'delightful' dates from the 1500s. Today, divine means relating to God; excellent.