settee

Where does the word "settee" come from? It comes from Proto-Germanic setlaz, passing through Old English and English before entering English (1716).

Settee’s story begins in Proto-Germanic: setlaz meant “seat.” From the root of 'sit' and 'seat'; German 'Sessel', armchair, is a cousin. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old English as setl. A seat or bench, also a place to rest. From there it passed into English as settle by 1500s. A long wooden bench with a high back and arms, often set by the fireplace. It reached English by 1716 as settee. First recorded in 1716, probably an altered form of 'settle'. Today, settee means an upholstered seat with a back and arms for two or more people.

1. Stage 1 · Proto-Germanic · ancient setlaz "seat", from the root of 'sit' and 'seat'; German 'Sessel', armchair, is a cousin.
2. Stage 2 · Old English · medieval setl "seat", a seat or bench, also a place to rest.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1500s settle "high-backed bench", a long wooden bench with a high back and arms, often set by the fireplace.
4. Stage 4 · English · 1716 settee "upholstered seat for two or more", first recorded in 1716, probably an altered form of 'settle'.