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Today it means

intimidate

to frighten into action

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Where does the word "intimidate" come from? It comes from Medieval Latin intimidare, and was adopted directly into English (1640s).

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Where does the word "intimidate" come from? It comes from Medieval Latin intimidare, and was adopted directly into English (1640s).

Intimidate’s story begins in Medieval Latin: intimidare meant “to make timid.” 'in-' plus 'timidus', fearful. It reached English by 1640s as intimidate. 'intimidating' followed. Today, intimidate means to frighten into action.

  1. Stage 1 · Medieval Latin · medieval intimidare "to make timid", 'in-' plus 'timidus', fearful.
  2. Stage 2 · English · 1640s intimidate "to frighten", 'intimidating' followed.

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