hostile

Where does the word "hostile" come from? It comes from Latin hostilis, and was adopted directly into English (1400s).

Hostile’s story begins in Latin: hostilis meant “relating to an enemy.” Relating to an enemy, from hostis (an enemy, a stranger). It reached English by 1400s as hostile. Settled as the English word for showing unfriendliness or aggression. Today, hostile means showing unfriendliness, opposition, or aggression.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient hostilis "relating to an enemy", relating to an enemy, from hostis (an enemy, a stranger).
2. Stage 2 · English · 1400s hostile "showing unfriendliness or opposition", settled as the English word for showing unfriendliness or aggression.