suite

Where does the word "suite" come from? It comes from Latin sequi, passing through Vulgar Latin and French before entering English (1670s).

Suite’s story begins in Latin: sequi meant “to follow.” The root of 'suit', '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 French as suite by 1600s. Kept its French spelling for a connected set of rooms or things. It reached English by 1670s as suite. Bach's cello suites are among the best-known musical suites. Today, suite means a set of connected rooms, especially in a hotel, or a set of related musical pieces.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient sequi "to follow", the root of 'suit', '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 · French · 1600s suite "a connected set of rooms or things", kept its French spelling for a connected set of rooms or things.
4. Stage 4 · English · 1670s suite "a set of connected rooms, or a related set of musical pieces", Bach's cello suites are among the best-known musical suites.