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Supreme

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means highest in rank

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

supremus→suprême→supreme

Latin · ancient

superlative of 'superus', above

French · 1500s

Latin 'supremus' was the superlative of 'superus', situated above; 'Supreme Court' is recorded in English from 1689

English · 1520s

the US Supreme Court dates from 1789

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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.