grandeur

Where does the word "grandeur" come from? It comes from Latin grandis, passing through French before entering English (1650s).

Grandeur’s story begins in Latin: grandis meant “large, great, full-grown.” The root of 'grand' and 'aggrandize'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in French as grand. Large and impressive, from grandis. By 1600s, French speakers had reshaped it into grandeur. Formed from grand for the quality of being magnificent and impressive. It reached English by 1650s as grandeur. Louis XIV's court style at Versailles was the model of grandeur. Today, grandeur means splendor, magnificence, and impressiveness of appearance or style.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient grandis "large, great, full-grown", the root of 'grand' and 'aggrandize'.
2. Stage 2 · French · medieval grand "large and impressive", large and impressive, from grandis.
3. Stage 3 · French · 1600s grandeur "the quality of being magnificent and impressive", formed from grand for the quality of being magnificent and impressive.
4. Stage 4 · English · 1650s grandeur "splendor and impressiveness", Louis XIV's court style at Versailles was the model of grandeur.