infinite

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

Infinite’s story begins in Latin: infinitus meant “unbounded.” 'in-', not, plus 'finis', end. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as infinit. Latin 'infinitus' meant countless or numberless: 'in-' (not) plus 'finis' (end). It reached English by 1300s as infinite. The infinity symbol ∞ was introduced in 1655. Today, infinite means limitless.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient infinitus "unbounded", 'in-', not, plus 'finis', end.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval infinit "endless", Latin 'infinitus' meant countless or numberless: 'in-' (not) plus 'finis' (end).
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s infinite "boundless", the infinity symbol ∞ was introduced in 1655.