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Where does the word "solitary" come from? It comes from Latin solitarius, and was adopted directly into English (1300s).
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Where does the word "solitary" come from? It comes from Latin solitarius, and was adopted directly into English (1300s).
Solitary’s story begins in Latin: solitarius meant “alone.” From 'solus', alone. It reached English by 1300s as solitary. 'solitary confinement' dates from the 1700s. Today, solitary means done or existing alone.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient solitarius "alone", from 'solus', alone.
- Stage 2 · English · 1300s solitary "alone", 'solitary confinement' dates from the 1700s.