innate

Where does the word "innate" come from? It comes from Latin innatus, and was adopted directly into English (1400s).

Innate’s story begins in Latin: innatus meant “inborn.” Inborn, from in- (in) and nasci (to be born). It reached English by 1400s as innate. Settled as the English word for qualities present from birth. Today, innate means a quality or ability present in someone from birth, inborn rather than learned.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient innatus "inborn", inborn, from in- (in) and nasci (to be born).
2. Stage 2 · English · 1400s innate "present from birth, inborn", settled as the English word for qualities present from birth.