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Flagrant

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means shockingly obvious

Where does the word "flagrant" come from? It comes from Latin flagrans, adopted directly into English (1500s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
flagrans
Latin · ancient
"blazing"
present participle of 'flagrare', to burn
2
Stage 2 of 2
flagrant
English · 1500s
"blazing"
'in flagrante delicto', caught red-handed, keeps the idea of burning
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Flagrant’s story begins in Latin: flagrans meant “blazing.” Present participle of 'flagrare', to burn. It reached English by 1500s as flagrant. 'in flagrante delicto', caught red-handed, keeps the idea of burning. Today, flagrant means shockingly obvious.