tenet

Where does the word "tenet" come from? It comes from Latin tenere, passing through Latin before entering English (1600s).

Tenet’s story begins in Latin: tenere meant “to hold.” The root of 'tenant', 'tenure' and 'retain'. Within Latin, it grew into tenet by ancient. He or she holds, used for a principle firmly held as true. It reached English by 1600s as tenet. Latin 'he holds'. Today, tenet means a principle or belief held to be true, especially by a group.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient tenere "to hold", the root of 'tenant', 'tenure' and 'retain'.
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient tenet "he or she holds", he or she holds, used for a principle firmly held as true.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1600s tenet "a principle or belief held to be true", Latin 'he holds'.