lament

Where does the word "lament" come from? It comes from Latin lamentum, passing through Old French before entering English (1500s).

Lament’s story begins in Latin: lamentum meant “wailing.” From an imitative root for crying out. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as lamenter. Latin 'lamentum' comes from a root for shouting or crying, probably imitative of a wail. It reached English by 1500s as lament. The Book of Lamentations mourns Jerusalem. Today, lament means to express grief.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient lamentum "wailing", from an imitative root for crying out.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval lamenter "to mourn", Latin 'lamentum' comes from a root for shouting or crying, probably imitative of a wail.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1500s lament "to mourn", the Book of Lamentations mourns Jerusalem.