Etymology Map
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Recent

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means having happened not long ago

Where does the word "recent" come from? It comes from Latin recens, adopted directly into English (1530s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
recens
Latin · ancient
"fresh, new"
possibly related to Greek 'kainos', new
2
Stage 2 of 2
recent
English · 1530s
"fresh"
came into English through French 'récent'
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Recent’s story begins in Latin: recens meant “fresh, new.” Possibly related to Greek 'kainos', new. It reached English by 1530s as recent. Came into English through French 'récent'. Today, recent means having happened not long ago.