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Where does the word "plain" come from? It comes from Latin planus, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).
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Where does the word "plain" come from? It comes from Latin planus, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).
Plain’s story begins in Latin: planus meant “flat, clear.” The root of 'plane' and 'explain'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as plain. Used for level country. It reached English by 1300s as plain. 'plain' as unadorned dates from the 1300s too. Today, plain means simple; not decorated; a flat area of land.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient planus "flat, clear", the root of 'plane' and 'explain'.
- Stage 2 · Old French · medieval plain "flat; open land", used for level country.
- Stage 3 · English · 1300s plain "flat; clear", 'plain' as unadorned dates from the 1300s too.