futile

Where does the word "futile" come from? It comes from Latin futilis, passing through French before entering English (1550s).

Futile’s story begins in Latin: futilis meant “leaky.” A vessel that pours out easily, from 'fundere', to pour. By 1500s, the word had taken hold in French as futile. Latin 'futilis' literally meant easily poured out, like a leaky vessel, hence worthless. It reached English by 1550s as futile. 'futility' dates from the 1600s. Today, futile means pointless.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient futilis "leaky", a vessel that pours out easily, from 'fundere', to pour.
2. Stage 2 · French · 1500s futile "vain", Latin 'futilis' literally meant easily poured out, like a leaky vessel, hence worthless.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1550s futile "leaky; useless", 'futility' dates from the 1600s.