eager

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

Eager’s story begins in Latin: acer meant “sharp, keen.” The same root as 'acid' and 'acrid'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as aigre. Meant sour or harsh; it also gives 'vinegar', sour wine. It reached English by 1300s as eager. The sense of keenness won out over sourness. Today, eager means strongly wanting to do or have something.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient acer "sharp, keen", the same root as 'acid' and 'acrid'.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval aigre "sour, keen", meant sour or harsh; it also gives 'vinegar', sour wine.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s eager "keenly wanting", the sense of keenness won out over sourness.