roue

Where does the word "roue" come from? It comes from Latin rotare, passing through French before entering English (1800).

Roue’s story begins in Latin: rotare meant “to roll, turn.” The verb of rolling or turning. By 1400s, the word had taken hold in French as rouer. Developed the grim sense of breaking a condemned man on a wheel. By 1720, French speakers had reshaped it into roue. The past participle was applied, half-ironically, to dissolute friends of the Duke of Orleans who 'deserved' such punishment. It reached English by 1800 as roue. Borrowed for a man devoted to a life of sensual excess. Today, roue means a debauched man devoted to a life of sensual pleasure; a rake.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient rotare "to roll, turn", the verb of rolling or turning.
2. Stage 2 · French · 1400s rouer "to break on the wheel (a form of execution)", developed the grim sense of breaking a condemned man on a wheel.
3. Stage 3 · French · 1720 roue "a dissipated man, a rake", the past participle was applied, half-ironically, to dissolute friends of the Duke of Orleans who 'deserved' such punishment.
4. Stage 4 · English · 1800 roue "a debauched man of pleasure", borrowed for a man devoted to a life of sensual excess.