encourage

Where does the word "encourage" come from? It comes from Latin cor, passing through Old French before entering English (1400s).

Encourage’s story begins in Latin: cor meant “heart.” Heart, giving rise to Old French corage (spirit, bravery). By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as encoragier. To give someone courage, from en- (to make) and corage. It reached English by 1400s as encourage. Settled as the English word for giving someone confidence or support. Today, encourage means to give someone confidence, support, or hope to do something.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient cor "heart", heart, giving rise to Old French corage (spirit, bravery).
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval encoragier "to give someone courage", to give someone courage, from en- (to make) and corage.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1400s encourage "to give someone confidence, support, or hope", settled as the English word for giving someone confidence or support.