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Where does the word "pomp" come from? It comes from Greek pompē, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).
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Where does the word "pomp" come from? It comes from Greek pompē, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).
Pomp’s story begins in Greek: pompē meant “procession.” Greek, from 'pempein', to send. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as pompe. Came via Latin 'pompa'. It reached English by 1300s as pomp. 'pompous' followed. Today, pomp means ceremonial splendour.
- Stage 1 · Greek · ancient pompē "procession", Greek, from 'pempein', to send.
- Stage 2 · Old French · medieval pompe "splendour", came via Latin 'pompa'.
- Stage 3 · English · 1300s pomp "splendid display", 'pompous' followed.