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Where does the word "easy" come from? It comes from Late Latin adjacens, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).
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Where does the word "easy" come from? It comes from Late Latin adjacens, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).
Easy’s story begins in Late Latin: adjacens meant “lying nearby.” The probable source of Old French 'aise', comfort. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as aisié. Past participle of 'aisier', to put at ease. It reached English by 1200s as easy. 'easy' meaning not difficult dates from the 1300s. Today, easy means not difficult; free from worry.
- Stage 1 · Late Latin · ancient adjacens "lying nearby", the probable source of Old French 'aise', comfort.
- Stage 2 · Old French · medieval aisié "at ease, comfortable", past participle of 'aisier', to put at ease.
- Stage 3 · English · 1200s easy "comfortable", 'easy' meaning not difficult dates from the 1300s.