superfluous

Where does the word "superfluous" come from? It comes from Latin fluere, passing through Latin before entering English (1400s).

Superfluous’s story begins in Latin: fluere meant “to flow.” To flow, combined with super- (over). Within Latin, it grew into superfluus by ancient. Overflowing, unnecessary, from super- and fluere. It reached English by 1400s as superfluous. Settled as the English word for something unnecessary because more than what is needed. Today, superfluous means unnecessary, especially because more than what is needed.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient fluere "to flow", to flow, combined with super- (over).
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient superfluus "overflowing, unnecessary", overflowing, unnecessary, from super- and fluere.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1400s superfluous "unnecessary because more than what is needed", settled as the English word for something unnecessary because more than what is needed.