move

Where does the word "move" come from? It comes from Latin movere, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

Move’s story begins in Latin: movere meant “to move, to set in motion.” The root of 'motion', 'mobile' and 'motor'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as movoir. Carried into French for changing position or stirring emotion. It reached English by 1200s as move. Settled as the English word for changing position or stirring emotion. Today, move means to change position or location, or to stir someone's emotions.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient movere "to move, to set in motion", the root of 'motion', 'mobile' and 'motor'.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval movoir "to change position, or to stir emotion", carried into French for changing position or stirring emotion.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1200s move "to change position, or to stir emotion", settled as the English word for changing position or stirring emotion.