ecstasy

Where does the word "ecstasy" come from? It comes from Greek ekstasis, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

Ecstasy’s story begins in Greek: ekstasis meant “a state of being outside oneself.” Literally a standing outside oneself, a state of being beside oneself. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as ecstasie. Carried into French for an intense trance-like state. It reached English by 1300s as ecstasy. Settled as the word for overwhelming joy or rapture. Today, ecstasy means an overwhelming feeling of great happiness or joyful excitement.

1. Stage 1 · Greek · ancient ekstasis "a state of being outside oneself", literally a standing outside oneself, a state of being beside oneself.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval ecstasie "a trance-like state of intense emotion", carried into French for an intense trance-like state.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s ecstasy "an overwhelming feeling of joy or rapture", settled as the word for overwhelming joy or rapture.