EtymologyMap
Back to all words

Trace the journey of words

Today it means

fervent

having passionate intensity

Drag to pan · scroll to zoom
Drag to rotate

Where does the word "fervent" come from? It comes from Latin fervens, and was adopted directly into English (1300s).

Read the full story

Where does the word "fervent" come from? It comes from Latin fervens, and was adopted directly into English (1300s).

Fervent’s story begins in Latin: fervens meant “boiling, glowing.” Present participle of 'fervere', to boil. It reached English by 1300s as fervent. Came into English through French 'fervent'. Today, fervent means having passionate intensity.

  1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient fervens "boiling, glowing", present participle of 'fervere', to boil.
  2. Stage 2 · English · 1300s fervent "burning", came into English through French 'fervent'.

Browse by origin