impair

Where does the word "impair" come from? It comes from Late Latin impejorare, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

Impair’s story begins in Late Latin: impejorare meant “to make worse.” 'in-' plus 'pejor', worse. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as empeirier. Used of health, goods or fortunes growing worse. It reached English by 1300s as impair. 'visually impaired' dates from the 1900s. Today, impair means to weaken or damage.

1. Stage 1 · Late Latin · ancient impejorare "to make worse", 'in-' plus 'pejor', worse.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval empeirier "to worsen", used of health, goods or fortunes growing worse.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s impair "to worsen", 'visually impaired' dates from the 1900s.