voluble

Where does the word "voluble" come from? It comes from Latin volvere, passing through Latin before entering English (1500s).

Voluble’s story begins in Latin: volvere meant “to roll, to turn.” The root of 'volume' and 'revolve'. Within Latin, it grew into volubilis by ancient. Turning easily, fluent, from volvere. It reached English by 1500s as voluble. Settled as the English word for someone talking fluently and rapidly. Today, voluble means talking fluently, easily, and at length.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient volvere "to roll, to turn", the root of 'volume' and 'revolve'.
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient volubilis "turning easily, fluent", turning easily, fluent, from volvere.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1500s voluble "talking fluently, rapidly, and easily", settled as the English word for someone talking fluently and rapidly.