Etymology Map
Back to all words

Seance

4 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a meeting where people attempt to communicate with the dead through a medium

Where does the word "seance" come from? It comes from Latin sedere, passing through Old French and French before entering English (1789-1845).

1
Stage 1 of 4
sedere
Latin · ancient
"to sit"
the verb of sitting, occupying a seat
2
Stage 2 of 4
seoir
Old French · medieval
"to sit"
kept the sense of sitting
3
Stage 3 of 4
seance
French · medieval
"a sitting, a session"
a noun for a formal sitting or session
4
Stage 4 of 4
seance
English · 1789-1845
"a session to communicate with the dead"
entered for any formal sitting, then narrowed to a spiritualist session meant to contact the dead
Drag to pan · scroll to zoom