Etymology Map
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Fastidious

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means very attentive to detail

Where does the word "fastidious" come from? It comes from Latin fastidiosus, adopted directly into English (1400s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
fastidiosus
Latin · ancient
"disdainful"
from 'fastidium', loathing
2
Stage 2 of 2
fastidious
English · 1400s
"disdainful"
the sense 'fussy about detail' dates from the 1600s
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Read the full story

Fastidious’s story begins in Latin: fastidiosus meant “disdainful.” From 'fastidium', loathing. It reached English by 1400s as fastidious. The sense 'fussy about detail' dates from the 1600s. Today, fastidious means very attentive to detail.