Etymology Map
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Dormant

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means temporarily inactive

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

1
Stage 1 of 3
dormire
Latin · ancient
"to sleep"
the root of 'dormitory'
2
Stage 2 of 3
dormant
Old French · medieval
"sleeping"
present participle of 'dormir'
3
Stage 3 of 3
dormant
English · 1300s
"lying still"
heraldic lions 'dormant' are shown asleep
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Read the full story

Dormant’s story begins in Latin: dormire meant “to sleep.” The root of 'dormitory'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as dormant. Present participle of 'dormir'. It reached English by 1300s as dormant. Heraldic lions 'dormant' are shown asleep. Today, dormant means temporarily inactive.