solid

Where does the word "solid" come from? It comes from Latin solidus, passing through Old French before entering English (1400s).

Solid’s story begins in Latin: solidus meant “solid, whole, firm.” The Roman gold coin 'solidus' gave 'soldier', a paid fighter. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as solide. Carried into French for something firm and not liquid or hollow. It reached English by 1400s as solid. Settled as the English word for something firm and stable in structure. Today, solid means having a firm, stable structure, or a state of matter that is neither liquid nor gas.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient solidus "solid, whole, firm", the Roman gold coin 'solidus' gave 'soldier', a paid fighter.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval solide "something firm and not liquid or hollow", carried into French for something firm and not liquid or hollow.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1400s solid "firm and stable in structure, not liquid or gas", settled as the English word for something firm and stable in structure.