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Where does the word "elect" come from? It comes from Latin eligere, and was adopted directly into English (1400s).
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Where does the word "elect" come from? It comes from Latin eligere, and was adopted directly into English (1400s).
Elect’s story begins in Latin: eligere meant “to choose out.” To choose out, from ex- (out) and legere (to choose). It reached English by 1400s as elect. Settled as the English word for choosing someone through voting. Today, elect means to choose someone for a position of authority through voting.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient eligere "to choose out", to choose out, from ex- (out) and legere (to choose).
- Stage 2 · English · 1400s elect "to choose someone for office through voting", settled as the English word for choosing someone through voting.