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Where does the word "pleasure" come from? It comes from Latin placere, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).
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Where does the word "pleasure" come from? It comes from Latin placere, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).
Pleasure’s story begins in Latin: placere meant “to please.” The root of 'please' and 'placid'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as plaisir. The infinitive became a noun. It reached English by 1300s as pleasure. The ending changed to match 'measure'. Today, pleasure means a feeling of happy satisfaction.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient placere "to please", the root of 'please' and 'placid'.
- Stage 2 · Old French · medieval plaisir "pleasure", the infinitive became a noun.
- Stage 3 · English · 1300s pleasure "enjoyment", the ending changed to match 'measure'.