intact

Where does the word "intact" come from? It comes from Latin tangere, passing through Latin before entering English (1400s).

Intact’s story begins in Latin: tangere meant “to touch.” The root of 'tact', 'contact' and 'tangible'. Within Latin, it grew into intactus by ancient. Untouched, whole, from in- (not) and tactus (touched). It reached English by 1400s as intact. Settled as the English word for something remaining whole and undamaged. Today, intact means remaining complete and undamaged, not broken or diminished.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient tangere "to touch", the root of 'tact', 'contact' and 'tangible'.
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient intactus "untouched, whole", untouched, whole, from in- (not) and tactus (touched).
3. Stage 3 · English · 1400s intact "remaining whole and undamaged", settled as the English word for something remaining whole and undamaged.