primary

Where does the word "primary" come from? It comes from Latin primarius, and was adopted directly into English (1400s).

Primary’s story begins in Latin: primarius meant “of the first rank.” Of the first rank, from primus (first). It reached English by 1400s as primary. Settled as the English word for something first in importance or order. Today, primary means first in importance, order, or sequence.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient primarius "of the first rank", of the first rank, from primus (first).
2. Stage 2 · English · 1400s primary "first in importance, order, or sequence", settled as the English word for something first in importance or order.