enemy

Where does the word "enemy" come from? It comes from Latin inimicus, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

Enemy’s story begins in Latin: inimicus meant “unfriendly; foe.” 'in-', not, plus 'amicus', friend. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as enemi. Used for both personal foes and the Devil. It reached English by 1300s as enemy. Largely replaced Old English 'feond', which narrowed to 'fiend'. Today, enemy means a person or group actively opposed or hostile to another.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient inimicus "unfriendly; foe", 'in-', not, plus 'amicus', friend.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval enemi "foe", used for both personal foes and the Devil.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s enemy "a hostile opponent", largely replaced Old English 'feond', which narrowed to 'fiend'.