sentinel

Where does the word "sentinel" come from? It comes from Latin sentire, passing through Italian and French before entering English (1570s).

Sentinel’s story begins in Latin: sentire meant “to feel, perceive.” Speculatively linked to the verb of feeling or perceiving. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Italian as sentinella. A noun for a watchful guard, of disputed deeper formation. From there it passed into French as sentinelle by 1500s. From Italian 'sentire', to perceive, i.e. one who watches. It reached English by 1570s as sentinel. Adopted for a soldier stationed to keep watch. Today, sentinel means a soldier or guard stationed to keep watch.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient sentire "to feel, perceive", speculatively linked to the verb of feeling or perceiving.
2. Stage 2 · Italian · medieval sentinella "a guard, watchman", a noun for a watchful guard, of disputed deeper formation.
3. Stage 3 · French · 1500s sentinelle "a sentry", from Italian 'sentire', to perceive, i.e. one who watches.
4. Stage 4 · English · 1570s sentinel "a soldier or guard stationed to watch", adopted for a soldier stationed to keep watch.