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Humiliate

2 stages from Late Latin to English.

Today it means to make someone feel ashamed

Where does the word "humiliate" come from? It comes from Late Latin humiliare, adopted directly into English (1530s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
humiliare
Late Latin · ancient
"to humble"
from 'humilis', lowly
2
Stage 2 of 2
humiliate
English · 1530s
"to humble"
the sense 'shame' dates from the 1700s
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Read the full story

Humiliate’s story begins in Late Latin: humiliare meant “to humble.” From 'humilis', lowly. It reached English by 1530s as humiliate. The sense 'shame' dates from the 1700s. Today, humiliate means to make someone feel ashamed.