negligee

Where does the word "negligee" come from? It comes from Latin neglegere, passing through French before entering English (1750).

Negligee’s story begins in Latin: neglegere meant “to disregard, not heed.” Nec- 'not' plus legere 'to pick up, select'. By 1300s, the word had taken hold in French as negligee. The feminine past participle of négliger described something left carelessly undone. It reached English by 1750 as negligee. Borrowed for a loose, informal gown worn in a state of studied undress. Today, negligee means a woman's light dressing gown, often made of sheer fabric.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient neglegere "to disregard, not heed", nec- 'not' plus legere 'to pick up, select'.
2. Stage 2 · French · 1300s negligee "in a state of neglect", the feminine past participle of négliger described something left carelessly undone.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1750 negligee "a loose dressing gown", borrowed for a loose, informal gown worn in a state of studied undress.