nominal

Where does the word "nominal" come from? It comes from Latin nomen, passing through Latin before entering English (1400s).

Nominal’s story begins in Latin: nomen meant “name.” The root of 'noun', 'nominate' and 'renown'. Within Latin, it grew into nominalis by ancient. Of a name, in name only, from nomen. It reached English by 1400s as nominal. Settled as the English word for something existing in name only, or very small. Today, nominal means existing in name only rather than in reality, or a very small amount.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient nomen "name", the root of 'noun', 'nominate' and 'renown'.
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient nominalis "of a name, in name only", of a name, in name only, from nomen.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1400s nominal "existing in name only, or a very small amount", settled as the English word for something existing in name only, or very small.