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Where does the word "gratitude" come from? It comes from Latin gratus, passing through French before entering English (1500s).
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Where does the word "gratitude" come from? It comes from Latin gratus, passing through French before entering English (1500s).
Gratitude’s story begins in Latin: gratus meant “pleasing, thankful.” The root of 'grace' and 'gratis'. By 1400s, the word had taken hold in French as gratitude. A learned formation. It reached English by 1500s as gratitude. 'ingratitude' is recorded earlier. Today, gratitude means the quality of being thankful.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient gratus "pleasing, thankful", the root of 'grace' and 'gratis'.
- Stage 2 · French · 1400s gratitude "gratitude", a learned formation.
- Stage 3 · English · 1500s gratitude "thankfulness", 'ingratitude' is recorded earlier.