unique

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

Unique’s story begins in Latin: unicus meant “single, sole.” From 'unus', one. By 1500s, the word had taken hold in French as unique. Latin 'unicus' meant alone of its kind, from 'unus', one; English took it around 1600 as 'single, solitary'. It reached English by 1600s as unique. The loose sense 'unusual' dates from the 1800s. Today, unique means being the only one of its kind.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient unicus "single, sole", from 'unus', one.
2. Stage 2 · French · 1500s unique "single", Latin 'unicus' meant alone of its kind, from 'unus', one; English took it around 1600 as 'single, solitary'.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1600s unique "single", the loose sense 'unusual' dates from the 1800s.