solo

Where does the word "solo" come from? It comes from Latin solus, passing through Italian before entering English (1600s-1700s).

Solo’s story begins in Latin: solus meant “alone.” By 1600s, the word had taken hold in Italian as solo. Applied to a piece performed by a single musician. It reached English by 1600s-1700s as solo. Italian 'alone', from Latin 'solus'. Today, solo means a performance done alone, without accompaniment or partners.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient solus "alone", meaning "alone".
2. Stage 2 · Italian · 1600s solo "performed alone", applied to a piece performed by a single musician.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1600s-1700s solo "a performance by a single person", Italian 'alone', from Latin 'solus'.