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Where does the word "senior" come from? It comes from Latin senior, and was adopted directly into English (1300s).
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Where does the word "senior" come from? It comes from Latin senior, and was adopted directly into English (1300s).
Senior’s story begins in Latin: senior meant “older.” Comparative of 'senex', old, the root of 'senate'. It reached English by 1300s as senior. 'senior citizen' dates from the 1930s. Today, senior means older; higher in rank.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient senior "older", comparative of 'senex', old, the root of 'senate'.
- Stage 2 · English · 1300s senior "older", 'senior citizen' dates from the 1930s.