pure

Where does the word "pure" come from? It comes from Latin purus, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

Pure’s story begins in Latin: purus meant “clean, unmixed.” The root of 'purge' and 'purify'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as pur. Used of metals and morals. It reached English by 1200s as pure. 'pure mathematics' dates from the 1500s. Today, pure means not mixed with anything else.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient purus "clean, unmixed", the root of 'purge' and 'purify'.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval pur "pure", used of metals and morals.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1200s pure "unmixed", 'pure mathematics' dates from the 1500s.