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Where does the word "oblivion" come from? It comes from Latin oblivisci, and was adopted directly into English (1300s).
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Where does the word "oblivion" come from? It comes from Latin oblivisci, and was adopted directly into English (1300s).
Oblivion’s story begins in Latin: oblivisci meant “to forget.” The 'Act of Oblivion' of 1660 pardoned most who fought against Charles I. It reached English by 1300s as oblivion. Settled as the English word for the state of being forgotten. Today, oblivion means the state of being forgotten, or complete unawareness of surroundings.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient oblivisci "to forget", the 'Act of Oblivion' of 1660 pardoned most who fought against Charles I.
- Stage 2 · English · 1300s oblivion "the state of being forgotten or unaware", settled as the English word for the state of being forgotten.