suit

Where does the word "suit" come from? It comes from Latin sequi, passing through Vulgar Latin and Old French before entering English (1200s).

Suit’s story begins in Latin: sequi meant “to follow.” The root of 'suite', 'pursue' and 'sequel'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Vulgar Latin as secuta. A following, a set of things that go together, from sequi. From there it passed into Old French as suite by medieval. Carried into French for a retinue, or a matching set of things. It reached English by 1200s as suit. Settled as the English word for a matching set of clothes, or a legal action. Today, suit means a matching set of clothes, a legal case, or a set of playing cards.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient sequi "to follow", the root of 'suite', 'pursue' and 'sequel'.
2. Stage 2 · Vulgar Latin · medieval secuta "a following, a matching set", a following, a set of things that go together, from sequi.
3. Stage 3 · Old French · medieval suite "a retinue, or a matching set of things", carried into French for a retinue, or a matching set of things.
4. Stage 4 · English · 1200s suit "a matching set of clothes, or a legal action", settled as the English word for a matching set of clothes, or a legal action.