intimate

Where does the word "intimate" come from? It comes from Latin intimus, passing through Late Latin before entering English (1630s).

Intimate’s story begins in Latin: intimus meant “innermost.” Superlative of 'intus', within. By ancient, the word had taken hold in Late Latin as intimare. Meant to put into, then to make known publicly. It reached English by 1630s as intimate. Both 'intimate' as close and 'to intimate', to hint, come from this. Today, intimate means closely acquainted; to hint.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient intimus "innermost", superlative of 'intus', within.
2. Stage 2 · Late Latin · ancient intimare "to make known", meant to put into, then to make known publicly.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1630s intimate "innermost", both 'intimate' as close and 'to intimate', to hint, come from this.