precise

Where does the word "precise" come from? It comes from Latin praecisus, passing through French before entering English (1540s).

Precise’s story begins in Latin: praecisus meant “cut short.” From 'praecidere', to cut off. By 1500s, the word had taken hold in French as precis. The English Puritans were mocked as 'precisians' for their strictness. It reached English by 1540s as precise. 'précis', a summary, comes from the same word. Today, precise means exact and accurate.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient praecisus "cut short", from 'praecidere', to cut off.
2. Stage 2 · French · 1500s precis "precise", the English Puritans were mocked as 'precisians' for their strictness.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1540s precise "exact", 'précis', a summary, comes from the same word.