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Where does the word "monster" come from? It comes from Latin monstrum, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).
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Where does the word "monster" come from? It comes from Latin monstrum, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).
Monster’s story begins in Latin: monstrum meant “portent, omen.” From 'monere', to warn: a sign sent by the gods. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as monstre. A malformed creature. It reached English by 1300s as monster. 'monstrous' followed. Today, monster means a large, ugly, frightening creature.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient monstrum "portent, omen", from 'monere', to warn: a sign sent by the gods.
- Stage 2 · Old French · medieval monstre "monster", a malformed creature.
- Stage 3 · English · 1300s monster "prodigy", 'monstrous' followed.