eloquent

Where does the word "eloquent" come from? It comes from Latin eloqui, and was adopted directly into English (1400s).

Eloquent’s story begins in Latin: eloqui meant “to speak out.” To speak out, from e- (out) and loqui (to speak). It reached English by 1400s as eloquent. Settled as the English word for fluent, persuasive speech. Today, eloquent means fluent and persuasive in speech or writing.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient eloqui "to speak out", to speak out, from e- (out) and loqui (to speak).
2. Stage 2 · English · 1400s eloquent "fluent and persuasive in speaking or writing", settled as the English word for fluent, persuasive speech.