Etymology Map
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Entire

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means with no part left out

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

1
Stage 1 of 3
integer
Latin · ancient
"whole, untouched"
'in-', not, plus 'tangere', to touch; also the root of 'integer'
2
Stage 2 of 3
entier
Old French · medieval
"whole"
the Latin 'g' dropped in French
3
Stage 3 of 3
entire
English · 1300s
"whole"
'entirely' followed
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Read the full story

Entire’s story begins in Latin: integer meant “whole, untouched.” 'in-', not, plus 'tangere', to touch; also the root of 'integer'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as entier. The Latin 'g' dropped in French. It reached English by 1300s as entire. 'entirely' followed. Today, entire means with no part left out.