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Where does the word "polite" come from? It comes from Latin polire, passing through Latin before entering English (1400s).
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Where does the word "polite" come from? It comes from Latin polire, passing through Latin before entering English (1400s).
Polite’s story begins in Latin: polire meant “to polish, to smooth.” The root of 'polish'. Within Latin, it grew into politus by ancient. Polished, refined, from polire. It reached English by 1400s as polite. Settled as the English word for having refined, courteous manners. Today, polite means having good manners and showing courtesy and respect toward others.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient polire "to polish, to smooth", the root of 'polish'.
- Stage 2 · Latin · ancient politus "polished, refined", polished, refined, from polire.
- Stage 3 · English · 1400s polite "having refined, courteous manners", settled as the English word for having refined, courteous manners.