frequent

Where does the word "frequent" come from? It comes from Latin frequens, passing through French before entering English (1530s).

Frequent’s story begins in Latin: frequens meant “crowded.” Possibly related to 'farcire', to stuff. By 1500s, the word had taken hold in French as frequent. Latin 'frequens' meant crowded or packed full; the sense 'happening often' is only recorded from around 1600. It reached English by 1530s as frequent. 'frequent flyer' dates from the 1980s. Today, frequent means occurring often.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient frequens "crowded", possibly related to 'farcire', to stuff.
2. Stage 2 · French · 1500s frequent "crowded", Latin 'frequens' meant crowded or packed full; the sense 'happening often' is only recorded from around 1600.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1530s frequent "crowded", 'frequent flyer' dates from the 1980s.