monologue

Where does the word "monologue" come from? It comes from Greek monos, and was adopted directly into English (1600s).

Monologue’s story begins in Greek: monos meant “alone, single.” Single, alone, combined with logos (speech). It reached English by 1600s as monologue. Settled as the English word for a long speech by a single speaker. Today, monologue means a long speech delivered by a single person, especially in a play or performance.

1. Stage 1 · Greek · ancient monos "alone, single", single, alone, combined with logos (speech).
2. Stage 2 · English · 1600s monologue "a long speech given by a single person", settled as the English word for a long speech by a single speaker.