idea

Where does the word "idea" come from? It comes from Greek idea, passing through Latin before entering English (medieval).

Idea’s story begins in Greek: idea meant “form, essential nature.” Literally "form" or "pattern", a key concept in Plato's philosophy. By ancient, the word had taken hold in Latin as idea. Plato's 'ideas' were eternal forms of which things are imperfect copies. It reached English by medieval as idea. Settled as the English word for a mental concept. Today, idea means a thought, plan, or mental impression.

1. Stage 1 · Greek · ancient idea "form, essential nature", literally "form" or "pattern", a key concept in Plato's philosophy.
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient idea "a mental concept", Plato's 'ideas' were eternal forms of which things are imperfect copies.
3. Stage 3 · English · medieval idea "a thought or mental impression", settled as the English word for a mental concept.