Etymology Map
Back to all words

Rigid

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means unable to bend

Where does the word "rigid" come from? It comes from Latin rigidus, passing through French before entering English (1500s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
rigidus
Latin · ancient
"stiff"
from 'rigere', to be stiff
2
Stage 2 of 3
rigide
French · 1500s
"stiff"
the root of 'rigor mortis'
3
Stage 3 of 3
rigid
English · 1500s
"stiff"
'rigor mortis' shares the root
Drag to pan · scroll to zoom
Read the full story

Rigid’s story begins in Latin: rigidus meant “stiff.” From 'rigere', to be stiff. By 1500s, the word had taken hold in French as rigide. The root of 'rigor mortis'. It reached English by 1500s as rigid. 'rigor mortis' shares the root. Today, rigid means unable to bend.