gigantic

Where does the word "gigantic" come from? It comes from Greek gigas, passing through Latin before entering English (1610s).

Gigantic’s story begins in Greek: gigas meant “giant.” From Greek 'gigas'. By ancient, the word had taken hold in Latin as giganteus. Latin adjective 'of the giants'. It reached English by 1610s as gigantic. 'gigantism' dates from the 1800s. Today, gigantic means of very great size.

1. Stage 1 · Greek · ancient gigas "giant", from Greek 'gigas'.
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient giganteus "giant-like", Latin adjective 'of the giants'.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1610s gigantic "like a giant", 'gigantism' dates from the 1800s.