influence

Where does the word "influence" come from? It comes from Medieval Latin influentia, and was adopted directly into English (1300s).

Influence’s story begins in Medieval Latin: influentia meant “a flowing in, an astral force.” Literally a flowing in, from an astrological belief in unseen forces flowing from the stars. It reached English by 1300s as influence. Broadened from astrological forces to any power affecting people or events. Today, influence means the capacity to have an effect on the character or behavior of someone or something.

1. Stage 1 · Medieval Latin · medieval influentia "a flowing in, an astral force", literally a flowing in, from an astrological belief in unseen forces flowing from the stars.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1300s influence "the power to affect people or events", broadened from astrological forces to any power affecting people or events.