parfait

Where does the word "parfait" come from? It comes from Latin perfectus, passing through French before entering English (1890s).

Parfait’s story begins in Latin: perfectus meant “completed, perfect.” Past participle of 'perficere', to complete, from 'per-', thoroughly, plus 'facere', to make. By 1800s, the word had taken hold in French as parfait. 'parfait glacé' named a rich frozen dessert of cream, eggs and sugar in French cookery. It reached English by 1890s as parfait. In American usage it became a layered dessert of ice cream or yogurt with fruit in a tall glass. Today, parfait means a dessert of layered ice cream or cream, fruit and other ingredients, served in a tall glass.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient perfectus "completed, perfect", past participle of 'perficere', to complete, from 'per-', thoroughly, plus 'facere', to make.
2. Stage 2 · French · 1800s parfait "perfect; a frozen dessert", 'parfait glacé' named a rich frozen dessert of cream, eggs and sugar in French cookery.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1890s parfait "layered dessert", in American usage it became a layered dessert of ice cream or yogurt with fruit in a tall glass.