marine

Where does the word "marine" come from? It comes from Latin marinus, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

Marine’s story begins in Latin: marinus meant “of the sea.” From 'mare', sea. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as marin. Relating to the sea. It reached English by 1300s as marine. 'Marines' as naval soldiers date from the 1600s. Today, marine means relating to the sea.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient marinus "of the sea", from 'mare', sea.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval marin "of the sea", relating to the sea.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s marine "of the sea", 'Marines' as naval soldiers date from the 1600s.