Etymology Map
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Remain

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means to stay in the same place

Where does the word "remain" come from? It comes from Latin remanere, passing through Old French before entering English (1400s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
remanere
Latin · ancient
"to stay behind"
're-' plus 'manere', to stay
2
Stage 2 of 3
remaindre
Old French · medieval
"to stay behind"
also gave 'remainder'
3
Stage 3 of 3
remain
English · 1400s
"to stay"
'remains', a dead body, dates from the 1700s
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Read the full story

Remain’s story begins in Latin: remanere meant “to stay behind.” 're-' plus 'manere', to stay. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as remaindre. Also gave 'remainder'. It reached English by 1400s as remain. 'remains', a dead body, dates from the 1700s. Today, remain means to stay in the same place.