ingenue

Where does the word "ingenue" come from? It comes from Latin ingenuus, passing through French before entering English (1848).

Ingenue’s story begins in Latin: ingenuus meant “free-born; frank, candid.” Originally denoting free-born social status, later 'frank, candid'. By 1200s, the word had taken hold in French as ingenu. Shifted to describe artless, guileless simplicity. By 1700s, French speakers had reshaped it into ingenue. The feminine form named a stock theatrical role of an innocent young woman. It reached English by 1848 as ingenue. Borrowed for the innocent-young-woman role and its performer. Today, ingenue means an innocent, unworldly young woman, especially as a stock theatrical role.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient ingenuus "free-born; frank, candid", originally denoting free-born social status, later 'frank, candid'.
2. Stage 2 · French · 1200s ingenu "ingenuous, artless", shifted to describe artless, guileless simplicity.
3. Stage 3 · French · 1700s ingenue "an artless young woman, especially on stage", the feminine form named a stock theatrical role of an innocent young woman.
4. Stage 4 · English · 1848 ingenue "an innocent, unworldly young woman", borrowed for the innocent-young-woman role and its performer.