supplement

Where does the word "supplement" come from? It comes from Latin supplere, passing through Latin before entering English (1300s).

Supplement’s story begins in Latin: supplere meant “to fill up from below, to make good.” To fill up from below, to make good, from sub- (under) and plere (to fill). Within Latin, it grew into supplementum by ancient. That which fills up a deficiency, from supplere. It reached English by 1300s as supplement. Settled as the English word for something added to complete or enhance something. Today, supplement means something added to complete a thing or make up for a deficiency.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient supplere "to fill up from below, to make good", to fill up from below, to make good, from sub- (under) and plere (to fill).
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient supplementum "that which fills up a deficiency", that which fills up a deficiency, from supplere.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s supplement "something added to complete or enhance something", settled as the English word for something added to complete or enhance something.