premiere

Where does the word "premiere" come from? It comes from French premiere, and was adopted directly into English (1890s).

Premiere’s story begins in French: premiere meant “first.” First, feminine form of premier, describing the first performance of a work. It reached English by 1890s as premiere. Settled as the word for the first public performance of a work. Today, premiere means the first public performance or showing of a play, film, or event.

1. Stage 1 · French · medieval premiere "first", first, feminine form of premier, describing the first performance of a work.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1890s premiere "the first public performance of a show or film", settled as the word for the first public performance of a work.