fidelity

Where does the word "fidelity" come from? It comes from Latin fides, passing through Latin and Old French before entering English (1400s).

Fidelity’s story begins in Latin: fides meant “faith, trust.” The root of 'faith', 'confide' and 'infidel'. Within Latin, it grew into fidelitas by ancient. Faithfulness, loyalty, from fides. From there it passed into Old French as fidelite by medieval. Carried into French for loyalty and faithfulness. It reached English by 1400s as fidelity. Settled as the English word for faithfulness to a person, cause, or standard. Today, fidelity means faithfulness to a person, belief, or cause, or accuracy of reproduction.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient fides "faith, trust", the root of 'faith', 'confide' and 'infidel'.
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient fidelitas "faithfulness, loyalty", faithfulness, loyalty, from fides.
3. Stage 3 · Old French · medieval fidelite "loyalty and faithfulness", carried into French for loyalty and faithfulness.
4. Stage 4 · English · 1400s fidelity "faithfulness to a person, cause, or standard", settled as the English word for faithfulness to a person, cause, or standard.