Etymology Map
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Grandee

2 stages from Spanish to English.

Today it means a Spanish or Portuguese nobleman of the highest rank

Where does the word "grandee" come from? It comes from Spanish grande, adopted directly into English (1590s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
grande
Spanish · medieval
"great"
great; the 'Grandes de España' could keep their hats on before the king
2
Stage 2 of 2
grandee
English · 1590s
"great noble"
the ending was reshaped as if it were English '-ee'
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Read the full story

Grandee’s story begins in Spanish: grande meant “great.” Great; the 'Grandes de España' could keep their hats on before the king. It reached English by 1590s as grandee. The ending was reshaped as if it were English '-ee'. Today, grandee means a Spanish or Portuguese nobleman of the highest rank.