seduce

Where does the word "seduce" come from? It comes from Latin seducere, and was adopted directly into English (1400s).

Seduce’s story begins in Latin: seducere meant “to lead astray.” To lead aside, to lead astray, from se- (apart) and ducere (to lead). It reached English by 1400s as seduce. Settled as the English word for persuading someone into wrongdoing or attraction. Today, seduce means to persuade someone to do something, especially to engage in a romantic or sexual relationship.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient seducere "to lead astray", to lead aside, to lead astray, from se- (apart) and ducere (to lead).
2. Stage 2 · English · 1400s seduce "to persuade someone into a desired course, especially romantically", settled as the English word for persuading someone into wrongdoing or attraction.