naive

Where does the word "naive" come from? It comes from Latin nativus, passing through French before entering English (1650s).

Naive’s story begins in Latin: nativus meant “natural, innate.” Natural, native, innate, from nasci (to be born). By medieval, the word had taken hold in French as naif. Narrowed in French to mean natural in the sense of innocent, unspoiled. It reached English by 1650s as naive. Settled as the English word for innocent, unworldly simplicity. Today, naive means showing a lack of experience, wisdom, or judgment, in an innocent way.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient nativus "natural, innate", natural, native, innate, from nasci (to be born).
2. Stage 2 · French · medieval naif "natural, innocent, unaffected", narrowed in French to mean natural in the sense of innocent, unspoiled.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1650s naive "showing a lack of experience or worldly wisdom", settled as the English word for innocent, unworldly simplicity.