gentleman

Where does the word "gentleman" come from? It comes from Latin gentīlis, passing through Old French and Middle English before entering English (1500s).

Gentleman’s story begins in Latin: gentīlis meant “of good family.” Of the same clan or family. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as gentilz hom. A man of noble birth. From there it passed into Middle English as gentilman by 1200s. Half-translated: French 'gentil' plus English 'man'. It reached English by 1500s as gentleman. Shifted from birth to behaviour. Today, gentleman means a courteous or honourable man.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient gentīlis "of good family", of the same clan or family.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval gentilz hom "nobleman", a man of noble birth.
3. Stage 3 · Middle English · 1200s gentilman "man of good birth", half-translated: French 'gentil' plus English 'man'.
4. Stage 4 · English · 1500s gentleman "courteous man", shifted from birth to behaviour.