veteran

Where does the word "veteran" come from? It comes from Latin vetus, and was adopted directly into English (1510s).

Veteran’s story begins in Latin: vetus meant “old, aged.” The root of 'inveterate'. It reached English by 1510s as veteran. Settled as the English word for someone with long experience, especially in the military. Today, veteran means a person with long experience in a field, especially a former member of the armed forces.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient vetus "old, aged", the root of 'inveterate'.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1510s veteran "a person with long experience, especially a former soldier", settled as the English word for someone with long experience, especially in the military.