formidable

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

Formidable’s story begins in Latin: formidabilis meant “terrifying.” From 'formido', fear. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as formidable. Latin 'formido' meant terror or dread; the word has since softened toward 'impressively great'. It reached English by 1400s as formidable. The sense 'impressively powerful' dates from the 1800s. Today, formidable means inspiring fear or respect.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient formidabilis "terrifying", from 'formido', fear.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval formidable "dreadful", Latin 'formido' meant terror or dread; the word has since softened toward 'impressively great'.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1400s formidable "frightening", the sense 'impressively powerful' dates from the 1800s.