proponent

Where does the word "proponent" come from? It comes from Latin pro ponere, passing through Latin before entering English (1600s).

Proponent’s story begins in Latin: pro ponere meant “to put forward.” To put forward, from pro- (forward) and ponere (to place). Within Latin, it grew into proponens by ancient. Putting forward, present participle of proponere. It reached English by 1600s as proponent. Settled as the English word for a person who argues in favor of something. Today, proponent means a person who publicly supports or argues in favor of an idea or plan.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient pro ponere "to put forward", to put forward, from pro- (forward) and ponere (to place).
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient proponens "putting forward", putting forward, present participle of proponere.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1600s proponent "a person who argues in favor of something", settled as the English word for a person who argues in favor of something.