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Today it means

supreme

highest in rank

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Where does the word "supreme" come from? It comes from Latin supremus, passing through French before entering English (1520s).

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Where does the word "supreme" come from? It comes from Latin supremus, passing through French before entering English (1520s).

Supreme’s story begins in Latin: supremus meant “highest.” Superlative of 'superus', above. By 1500s, the word had taken hold in French as suprême. Latin 'supremus' was the superlative of 'superus', situated above; 'Supreme Court' is recorded in English from 1689. It reached English by 1520s as supreme. The US Supreme Court dates from 1789. Today, supreme means highest in rank.

  1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient supremus "highest", superlative of 'superus', above.
  2. Stage 2 · French · 1500s suprême "supreme", Latin 'supremus' was the superlative of 'superus', situated above; 'Supreme Court' is recorded in English from 1689.
  3. Stage 3 · English · 1520s supreme "highest", the US Supreme Court dates from 1789.

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