personnel

Where does the word "personnel" come from? It comes from Latin persona, passing through Old French and French before entering English (1837).

Personnel’s story begins in Latin: persona meant “a person, character.” Originally a theatrical mask, then the individual behind it. By 1100s, the word had taken hold in Old French as personel. An adjective meaning 'personal', derived from Late Latin personalis. From there it passed into French as personnel by 1837. Used as a military noun contrasted with matériel, for the human side of an operation. It reached English by 1837 as personnel. French 'personnel', staff, opposed to 'matériel', equipment, in military usage. Today, personnel means the people employed in an organization or engaged in a service.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient persona "a person, character", originally a theatrical mask, then the individual behind it.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · 1100s personel "personal, of a person", an adjective meaning 'personal', derived from Late Latin personalis.
3. Stage 3 · French · 1837 personnel "the body of people in a service", used as a military noun contrasted with matériel, for the human side of an operation.
4. Stage 4 · English · 1837 personnel "the people employed in an organization", French 'personnel', staff, opposed to 'matériel', equipment, in military usage.