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Where does the word "genius" come from? It comes from Latin genius, and was adopted directly into English (1600s).
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Where does the word "genius" come from? It comes from Latin genius, and was adopted directly into English (1600s).
Genius’s story begins in Latin: genius meant “guardian spirit.” A guardian spirit present from birth, from 'gignere', to beget. It reached English by 1600s as genius. Moved from an attendant spirit to natural talent; later, applied to a person of exceptional ability. Today, genius means exceptional intellectual or creative ability; a person with it.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient genius "guardian spirit", a guardian spirit present from birth, from 'gignere', to beget.
- Stage 2 · English · 1600s genius "inborn talent; later a brilliant person", moved from an attendant spirit to natural talent; later, applied to a person of exceptional ability.