finale

Where does the word "finale" come from? It comes from Latin finalis, passing through Italian before entering English (1700s-1800s).

Finale’s story begins in Latin: finalis meant “final, of the end.” Meaning "of the end". By 1700s, the word had taken hold in Italian as finale. Named the concluding movement or scene of a musical work. It reached English by 1700s-1800s as finale. Mozart's operas made the ensemble finale a set piece. Today, finale means the last part of a performance, event, or series.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient finalis "final, of the end", meaning "of the end".
2. Stage 2 · Italian · 1700s finale "the final movement or scene", named the concluding movement or scene of a musical work.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1700s-1800s finale "the last part of a performance or event", Mozart's operas made the ensemble finale a set piece.