elegant

Where does the word "elegant" come from? It comes from Latin elegans, passing through French before entering English (1480s).

Elegant’s story begins in Latin: elegans meant “choosy, refined.” From 'eligere', to pick out, the root of 'elect'. By 1400s, the word had taken hold in French as elegant. Latin 'elegans' was first a term of reproach meaning fussy or fastidious, from 'eligere', to choose carefully. It reached English by 1480s as elegant. A mathematical proof can also be 'elegant'. Today, elegant means graceful and stylish.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient elegans "choosy, refined", from 'eligere', to pick out, the root of 'elect'.
2. Stage 2 · French · 1400s elegant "refined", Latin 'elegans' was first a term of reproach meaning fussy or fastidious, from 'eligere', to choose carefully.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1480s elegant "refined", a mathematical proof can also be 'elegant'.