Etymology Map
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Solve

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means to find an answer to

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

1
Stage 1 of 3
solvere
Latin · ancient
"to loosen"
the root of 'dissolve' and 'absolve'
2
Stage 2 of 3
soudre
Old French · medieval
"to loosen, pay"
3
Stage 3 of 3
solve
English · 1400s
"to loosen"
puzzle 'solving' dates from the 1500s
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Read the full story

Solve’s story begins in Latin: solvere meant “to loosen.” The root of 'dissolve' and 'absolve'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as soudre. It reached English by 1400s as solve. Puzzle 'solving' dates from the 1500s. Today, solve means to find an answer to.