spartan

Where does the word "spartan" come from? It comes from Greek Sparte, and was adopted directly into English (1600s).

Spartan’s story begins in Greek: Sparte meant “the city of Sparta.” The ancient Greek city-state famed for its austere military discipline. It reached English by 1600s as spartan. Broadened from the city's name to describe any austere, disciplined simplicity. Today, spartan means marked by austerity, simplicity, or self-discipline.

1. Stage 1 · Greek · ancient Sparte "the city of Sparta", the ancient Greek city-state famed for its austere military discipline.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1600s spartan "showing austerity, simplicity, or self-discipline", broadened from the city's name to describe any austere, disciplined simplicity.