regret

Where does the word "regret" come from? It comes from Frankish gretan, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

Regret’s story begins in Frankish: gretan meant “to weep.” Possibly a Frankish word related to Old Norse 'gráta', to weep. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as regreter. Used of mourning the dead in Old French poetry. It reached English by 1300s as regret. 'regrets only' on invitations dates from the 1900s. Today, regret means to feel sorry about.

1. Stage 1 · Frankish · ancient gretan "to weep", possibly a Frankish word related to Old Norse 'gráta', to weep.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval regreter "to mourn", used of mourning the dead in Old French poetry.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s regret "to mourn", 'regrets only' on invitations dates from the 1900s.