docile

Where does the word "docile" come from? It comes from Latin docere, passing through Latin before entering English (1600s).

Docile’s story begins in Latin: docere meant “to teach.” The root of 'doctor', 'doctrine' and 'document'. Within Latin, it grew into docilis by ancient. Easily taught, from docere. It reached English by 1600s as docile. Settled as the English word for something easily managed or taught. Today, docile means easy to manage, teach, or handle; readily submissive.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient docere "to teach", the root of 'doctor', 'doctrine' and 'document'.
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient docilis "easily taught", easily taught, from docere.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1600s docile "easily managed, taught, or handled", settled as the English word for something easily managed or taught.