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Today it means

sane

of sound mind

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Where does the word "sane" come from? It comes from Latin sanus, and was adopted directly into English (1620s).

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Where does the word "sane" come from? It comes from Latin sanus, and was adopted directly into English (1620s).

Sane’s story begins in Latin: sanus meant “healthy.” The root of 'sanitary' and 'insane'. It reached English by 1620s as sane. 'insane' was borrowed earlier, in the 1500s. Today, sane means of sound mind.

  1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient sanus "healthy", the root of 'sanitary' and 'insane'.
  2. Stage 2 · English · 1620s sane "healthy", 'insane' was borrowed earlier, in the 1500s.

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