EtymologyMap
Back to all words

Trace the journey of words

Today it means

intricate

very complicated

Drag to pan · scroll to zoom
Drag to rotate

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

Read the full story

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

Intricate’s story begins in Latin: intricatus meant “entangled.” Past participle of 'intricare', to entangle, from 'tricae', trifles. It reached English by 1400s as intricate. 'intrigue' shares the root. Today, intricate means very complicated.

  1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient intricatus "entangled", past participle of 'intricare', to entangle, from 'tricae', trifles.
  2. Stage 2 · English · 1400s intricate "entangled", 'intrigue' shares the root.

Browse by origin