sufficient

Where does the word "sufficient" come from? It comes from Latin sufficere, and was adopted directly into English (1300s).

Sufficient’s story begins in Latin: sufficere meant “to make enough.” To make enough, from sub- (under) and facere (to make). It reached English by 1300s as sufficient. Settled as the English word for enough to meet a need. Today, sufficient means enough to meet the needs of a situation or purpose.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient sufficere "to make enough", to make enough, from sub- (under) and facere (to make).
2. Stage 2 · English · 1300s sufficient "enough to meet a particular need or purpose", settled as the English word for enough to meet a need.