generous

Where does the word "generous" come from? It comes from Latin genus, passing through Latin before entering English (1500s).

Generous’s story begins in Latin: genus meant “birth, kind, race.” 'generous' first meant of noble birth. Within Latin, it grew into generosus by ancient. Of noble birth, magnanimous, from genus. It reached English by 1500s as generous. Settled as the English word for someone willing to give freely. Today, generous means willing to give freely and show kindness toward others.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient genus "birth, kind, race", 'generous' first meant of noble birth.
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient generosus "of noble birth, magnanimous", of noble birth, magnanimous, from genus.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1500s generous "willing to give freely, showing kindness", settled as the English word for someone willing to give freely.