engineer

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

Engineer’s story begins in Latin: ingenium meant “natural talent, cleverness.” Natural talent, cleverness, inborn ability. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as engignour. Carried into French for one who designs clever devices, especially for war. It reached English by 1300s as engineer. Settled as the English word for one who designs and builds machines and structures. Today, engineer means a person who designs, builds, or maintains machines, structures, or systems.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient ingenium "natural talent, cleverness", natural talent, cleverness, inborn ability.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval engignour "one who designs clever devices", carried into French for one who designs clever devices, especially for war.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s engineer "a person who designs and builds machines or structures", settled as the English word for one who designs and builds machines and structures.