Etymology dictionary

apple (n.) — Aquila

apple (n.)

Old English æppel "apple; any kind of fruit; fruit in general," from Proto-Germanic *ap(a)laz (source also of Old Saxon, Old Frisian, Dutch appel, Old Norse eple, Old High German apful, German Apfel), from PIE *ab(e)l- "apple" (source also of Gaulish avallo "fruit;" Old Irish ubull, Lithuanian obuolys, Old Church Slavonic jabloko "apple"), but the exact relation and original sense of these is uncertain (compare melon).

In Middle English and as late as 17c., it was a generic term for all fruit other than berries but including nuts (such as Old English fingeræppla "dates," literally "finger-apples;" Middle English appel of paradis "banana," c. 1400). Hence its grafting onto the unnamed "fruit of the forbidden tree" in Genesis.

Cucumbers, in one Old English work, are eorþæppla, literally "earth-apples" (compare French pomme de terre "potato," literally "earth-apple;" see also melon). French pomme is from Latin pomum "apple; fruit" (see Pomona).

Apple of Discord (c. 1400) was thrown into the wedding of Thetis and Peleus by Eris (goddess of chaos and discord), who had not been invited, and inscribed kallisti "To the Prettiest One." Paris, elected to choose which goddess should have it, gave it to Aphrodite, offending Hera and Athene, with consequences of the Trojan War, etc.

Apple of one's eye (Old English), symbol of what is most cherished, was the pupil, supposed to be a globular solid body. Apple-polisher "one who curries favor" first attested 1928 in student slang. The image in the phrase upset the apple cart "spoil the undertaking" is attested from 1788. Road-apple "horse dropping" is from 1942.

applaud (v.)

late 15c. (implied in applauding), "to express agreement or approval; to praise," from Latin applaudere "to clap the hands in approbation, to approve by clapping hands; to strike upon, beat," from assimilated form of ad "to" (see ad-) + plaudere "to clap" (see plaudit). The sense of "clap the hands" is from 1590s; the extended meaning arrived in English before the literal. Related: Applauded.

applause (n.)

early 15c., "commendation, praise," from Latin applausus, past participle of applaudere "approve by clapping hands" (see applaud). English in 16c.-17c. had applausible "worthy to be applauded."

applejack (n.)

also apple-jack, "apple-brandy, liquor distilled from cider," 1816, from apple + jack (n.).

apple-pie (n.)

1580s, from apple + pie; noted by 1893 as a typical American dish. Apple-pie bed as a name for a childish prank is recorded from 1781; supposedly from the way of making apple turnovers, but some think it a folk etymology of French nappe pliée "folded sheet."

apple-sauce (n.)

also applesauce, by 1739, American English, from apple + sauce (n.). The slang meaning "nonsense" is attested from 1921 and was noted as a vogue word early 1920s. Mencken credits it to cartoonist T.A. ("Tad") Dorgan. DAS suggests the word was thus used because applesauce was cheap fare served in boardinghouses.

apple-seed (n.)

"the pip of an apple," 1690s, from apple + seed (n.).

applet (n.)

by 1995, a diminutive formation from application + -let.

apple-tree (n.)

Old English æpeltreow; see apple + tree (n.). Another name for it was Old English apuldore, which survived into Middle English and is preserved in place names (Appledore).

apply (v.)

late 14c., "join or combine (with); attach (to something), adhere," from Old French aploiier "apply, use, attach" (12c., Modern French appliquer), from Latin applicare "attach to, join, connect;" figuratively, "devote (oneself) to, give attention," from ad "to" (see ad-) + plicare "fold" (from PIE root *plek- "to plait").

The etymological sense is "bring things in contact with one another." In English, from c. 1400 as "use or employ" something for a certain purpose." From early 15c. in reference to lotions, plasters, etc., "place in contact with the body," also, of one's mental powers or faculties, "put to work at a task or pursuit." The meaning "seek a job by submitting an application for one" is from 1851. A by-form applicate is recorded from 1530s. Related: Applied; applying.

applied (adj.)

"put to practical use," (as opposed to abstract or theoretical), 1650s, from past participle of apply. Earlier it was used in a sense of "folded" (c. 1500).

appliance (n.)

1560s, "action of putting into use," from apply + -ance. The meaning "instrument, thing applied for a purpose" is from 1590s.

applicability (n.)

"capability of being used," 1650s, from applicable + -ity. Earlier was appliableness (1580s), now obsolete.

applicable (adj.)

1650s, "capable of being applied, suitable, appropriate," from Latin stem of apply (v.) + -able. Earlier in this sense was appliable (mid-15c.), and applicable formerly meant "pliable, well-disposed" (1560s).

application (n.)

early 15c., "the bringing of something to bear on something else," from Old French aplicacion (14c.), from Latin applicationem (nominative applicatio) "a joining to, an attaching oneself to; relation of a client to a patron," noun of action from past-participle stem of applicare "attach to, join, connect," from ad "to" (see ad-) + plicare "to fold" (from PIE root *plek- "to plait").

The meaning "sincere hard effort" is from c. 1600. That of "a formal request to be hired for a job or paid position" is by 1851. The computer sense "program designed to carry out specific tasks or solve specific problems within a larger system" is a shortening of application program (1969).

applicant (n.)

"one who applies, candidate," late 15c., from Latin applicantem (nominative applicans), present participle of applicare "attach to, join, connect" (see apply).

applicator (n.)

"instrument for applying anything," 1650s, agent noun from Latin stem of apply (v.).

applique (n.)

1841, from French appliqué "work applied or laid on to another material," noun use of past participle of appliquer "to apply" (Old French apliquier, 12c.), from Latin applicare "attach to, join, connect" (see apply).

appointment (n.)

early 15c., appointement, "an agreement," also "a fixing of a date for official business," from Old French apointement, from apointer "arrange, settle, place" (see appoint). The meaning "act of placing in office" is attested from 1650s.

appoint (v.)

late 14c., "to decide, resolve; to arrange the time of (a meeting, etc.)," from Anglo-French appointer, Old French apointier "make ready, arrange, settle, place" (12c., Modern French appointer), from apointer "duly, fitly," from phrase à point "to the point," from a- "to" (see ad-) + point "point," from Latin punctum "small hole made by pricking" (from nasalized form of PIE root *peuk- "to prick").

The etymological sense is "to come to a point" (about some matter), therefore "agree, settle." The meaning "put in charge, authoritatively nominate or assign" is early 15c. Related: Appointed; appointing.

appointed (adj.)

with qualifying adverb, "equipped, furnished," 1530s, from past participle of appoint (v.) in the specialized sense of "equip, furnish" (late 15c.).

appointee (n.)

"person appointed," 1768, after French appointé, from apointer "arrange, settle, place;" see appoint + -ee.

Appomattox

place in Virginia, from an eccentric spelling of plural of Appomattoc, name of a local subgroup of the Powhatan (Algonquian) confederacy (first attested as Apamatic, 1607). It was the site of last battle for the Army of Northern Virginia (CSA) in the American Civil War and of Lee's surrender to Grant (in Wilmer McLean's house) on April 9, 1865.

apportion (v.)

"divide and assign according to rule," 1570s, from French apportionner, from Old French aporcioner "apportion, share out," from a- "to" (see ad-) + portioner "to divide into portions," from portion "share, portion" (see portion (n.)). Related: Apportioned; apportioning.

apportionment (n.)

"a dividing into portions or shares," 1620s, from apportion + -ment. Perhaps influenced by French apportionnement. In U.S. especially of distribution of seats in the House of Representatives.

appose (v.)

"apply" (one thing to another), 1590s, either from French apposer (from a "to;" see ad-, + poser "to place;" see pose (v.1)), or else formed in English from Latin apponere "lay beside, set near; put upon, apply" (see apposite) on analogy of compose, expose, etc. In Middle English, an identical word was a variant spelling of oppose. Related: Apposed; apposing.

appositive (adj.)

1690s, "applicable," from Latin apposit-, past-participle stem of apponere "set near, set before; apply, give in addition; appoint, designate" (see apposite) + -ive. As a noun in grammar, "words in apposition," from 1847.

apposition (n.)

"application" (of one thing to another), mid-15c., originally in grammatical sense "the relation to a noun or pronoun of another noun or clause added to it by way of explanation," from Latin appositionem (nominative appositio) "a setting before," noun of action from past-participle stem of apponere "lay beside, set near," especially "serve, set before," also "put upon, apply," from ad "to, toward" (see ad-) + ponere "to place" (past participle positus; see position (n.)). The general sense is from 1540s.

apposite (adj.)

1620s, "well-put or applied, appropriate," from Latin appositus, adpositus "contiguous, neighboring;" figuratively "fit, proper, suitable," past participle of apponere "lay beside, set near," especially "serve, set before," also "put upon, apply," from ad "to, toward" (see ad-) + ponere "to place" (past participle positus; see position (n.)).

appraise (v.)

c. 1400, appreisen, "to set a value on," from stem of Old French aprisier "appraise, set a price on" (14c., Modern French apprécier), from Late Latin appretiare "value, estimate," from ad "to" (see ad-) + pretium "price" (see price (n.)). The original English spelling, also apprize, was altered by influence of praise. Related: Appraised; appraising.

appraisal (n.)

"setting of a price, valuation," by 1784, American English, from appraise + -al (2). The figurative sense of "act of appraising" (originally a term of literary criticism) is from 1817. Appraisement is earlier (1640s).

appraiser (n.)

"one who estimates worth" of any kind, early 15c., agent noun from appraise (v.).

appreciation (n.)

c. 1600 "act of estimating the quality and worth of something," from French appréciation, noun of action from apprécier (14c.), from Late Latin appretiare "estimate the quality of" (see appreciate).

Generally with a sense of "high estimation" after c. 1650; the sense of "a rise in value" is by 1784; that of "act of setting a value on" is from 1799. The meaning "expression of (favorable) estimation" is from 1858. There is an isolated use of appreciacioun in Middle English (c. 1400) of uncertain meaning.

appreciable (adj.)

1779, "capable of being judged or estimated," from French appréciable and directly from Medieval Latin appretiabilis, from Late Latin appretiare "set a price to" (see appreciate). The word had been used in Middle English in a sense of "worthy" (mid-15c.). Related: Appreciably.

appreciated (adj.)

1794, "enhanced in value;" by 1831 as "received with gratitude;" past-participle adjective from appreciate (v.).

appreciative (adj.)

"capable of appreciating; manifesting due appreciation," 1650s (implied in appreciatively); see appreciate + -ive. Related: Appreciativeness.

appreciate (v.)

1650s, "to esteem or value highly," from Late Latin appretiatus, past participle of appretiare "to set a price to," from ad "to" (see ad-) + pretium "price" (see price (n.)). The meaning "to rise in value" (intransitive) is by 1787; the sense of "be fully conscious of" is by 1833. "Appreciate is to set a just value on; it implies the use of wise judgment or delicate perception" [Century Dictionary]. Related: Appreciated; appreciating.

apprehend (v.)

late 14c., apprehenden, "grasp with the senses or mind;" early 15c., "grasp, take hold of" physically, from Latin apprehendere "to take hold of, grasp," from ad "to" (see ad-) + prehendere "to seize." This is from prae- "before;" see pre- + -hendere, from PIE root *ghend- "to seize, take."

The metaphoric extension to "seize with the mind" took place in Latin and was the sole sense of cognate Old French aprendre (12c., Modern French appréhender). Often "to hold in opinion but without positive certainty."

Also compare apprentice). The specific meaning "seize in the name of the law, arrest," is from 1540s. The meaning "be in fear of the future, anticipate with dread" is from c. 1600. Related: Apprehended; apprehending.

apprehensible (adj.)

late 15c., "capable of attaining," especially with the intellect, from Latin apprehensibilis "that can be seized," from apprehens-, past-participle stem of apprehendere "seize, take hold of" mentally or physically (see apprehend).

apprehensive (adj.)

late 14c., "capable of perceiving, fitted for mental impression," from Medieval Latin apprehensivus, from Latin apprehens-, past-participle stem of apprehendere "take hold of, grasp" physically or mentally (see apprehend). The meaning "fearful of what is to come" is recorded from 1630s, via notion of "capable of grasping with the mind" (c. 1600). Related: Apprehensively; apprehensiveness.

apprehension (n.)

late 14c., "perception, comprehension," from Old French apreension "comprehension, something learned" or directly from Latin apprehensionem (nominative apprehensio) "a seizing upon, laying hold of; understanding," noun of action from past-participle stem of apprehendere "take hold of, grasp" physically or mentally, from ad "to" (see ad-) + prehendere "to seize." This is a compound of prae- "before" (see pre-) + -hendere, from PIE root *ghend- "to seize, take."

The sense of "seizure on behalf of authority" is 1570s; that of "anticipation" (usually with dread), "fear of the future" is from c. 1600.

apprentice (v.)

"to bind to a master for instruction in his craft," 1630s, from apprentice (n.). Related: Apprenticed; apprenticing.

apprentice (n.)

"one bound by legal agreement to an employer to learn a craft or trade," c. 1300, from Old French aprentiz "someone learning" (13c., Modern French apprenti, taking the older form as a plural), also as an adjective, "unskilled, inexperienced," from aprendre "to learn; to teach" (Modern French apprendre), contracted from Latin apprehendere "take hold of, grasp" mentally or physically, in Medieval Latin "to learn" (see apprehend). The shortened form prentice, prentis long was more usual in English.

apprenticeship (n.)

"service or legal condition of an apprentice; process of gaining knowledge of a trade, etc., from the instruction of a master; term during which one is an apprentice," 1590s; see apprentice (n.) + -ship. Replaced earlier apprenticehood (late 14c., with -hood).

apprise (v.)

"to notify, give notice," 1690s, from French appris, past participle of apprendre "to inform, teach" (Old French aprendre, 12c.), etymologically "to lay hold of (in the mind)," from Latin apprehendere "take hold of, grasp" mentally or physically, from ad "to" (see ad-) + prehendere "to seize" (from prae- "before," see pre-, + -hendere, from PIE root *ghend- "to seize, take"). Related: Apprised; apprising.

apprize (v.)

occasional legalese form of appraise, c. 1400. Compare prize. Related: Apprized; apprizing.

approachable (adj.)

1570s, "accessible," from approach (v.) + -able. The figurative sense, "affable, friendly," is from 1610s. Related: Approachably; approachability.

approach (n.)

mid-15c., "act of drawing near, arrival," from approach (v.). Meaning "way or means by which something is approached" is from 1630s. Figurative sense of "means of handling a problem, etc." is attested by 1905. Sense of "final stage of an aircraft flight before landing" is by 1930.

approach (v.)

c. 1300, "to go or come near" in place; by late 14c. as "come near" in time, also "come near in quality or character, resemble, become similar," from Anglo-French approcher, Old French aprochier "come closer" (12c., Modern French approcher), from Late Latin appropiare, adpropiare "go nearer to," from Latin ad "to" (see ad-) + Late Latin propiare "come nearer," comparative of Latin prope "near" (see propinquity). Replaced Old English neahlæcan.

approbation (n.)

"approval, endorsement," early 15c., approbacioun, from Old French aprobacion "approval" (Modern French approbation) and directly from Latin approbationem (nominative approbatio) "an approval," noun of action from past-participle stem of approbare "to assent to" as good, from ad "to" (see ad-) + probare "to try, test something (to find if it is good)," from probus "honest, genuine" (see prove). Also in Middle English in a now-obsolete sense of "proven effectiveness, excellence" (late 14c.).

approbate (v.)

"express a liking or satisfaction," late 15c., from Latin approbatus, past participle of approbare "to assent to (as good), favor" (see approbation). Related: Approbated; approbating.

appropre (v.)

mid-14c., appropren, "acquire possession or control, to appropriate, take possession of," from Old French apropriier "annex; make fit or suitable" (12c., Modern French appropre), from Late Latin appropriare "make one's own" (see appropriate (v.)).

appropriate (adj.)

"specially suitable, proper," early 15c., appropriat, from Latin appropriatus, past participle of appropriare "make one's own" (see appropriate (v.)). Related: Appropriately; appropriateness.

appropriation (n.)

late 14c., appropriacioun, "the taking of (something) as private property," from Late Latin appropriationem (nominative appropriatio) "a making one's own," noun of action from past-participle stem of appropriare "to make one's own," from Latin ad "to" (see ad-) + propriare "take as one's own," from proprius "one's own" (see proper).

The meaning "act of setting aside for some purpose" (especially of money) is attested by 1727.

appropriate (v.)

early 15c., appropriaten, "take possession of, take exclusively," from Late Latin appropriatus, past participle of appropriare, adpropriare "to make one's own," from Latin ad "to" (see ad-) + propriare "take as one's own," from proprius "one's own" (see proper). Related: Appropriated; appropriating.

approve (v.)

c. 1300, apreven, approven, "to demonstrate, prove," from Old French aprover (Modern French approuver) "approve, agree to," from Latin approbare "to assent to as good, regard as good," from ad "to" (see ad-) + probare "to try, test something (to find if it is good)," from probus "honest, genuine" (see prove).

The meaning was extended by late 14c. to "regard or assent to (something) as good or superior; commend; sanction, endorse, confirm formally," especially in reference to the actions of authorities, parliaments, etc. Related: Approved; approving.

approved (adj.)

"tried, tested; experienced, expert; reliable, effective, trustworthy," late 14c., past-participle adjective from approve (v.).

approval (n.)

"commendation, sanction," 1680s, from approve + -al (2). According to OED, "Rare bef. 1800; now generally used instead of" approvance, which is attested by 1590s, from French aprovance.

approximately (adv.)

"nearly, closely; by approximation," 1742, from approximate (adj.) + -ly (2).

approximation (n.)

early 15c., approximacioun, "act of coming near or close," noun of action from approximate (v.). The meaning "result of approximating" is from 1650s.

approximate (adj.)

1640s, "near in position, close to," from Late Latin approximatus, past participle of approximare "to come near to," from Latin ad "to" (see ad-) + proximare "come near," from proximus "nearest," superlative of prope "near" (see propinquity).

The meaning "near in accuracy or correctness" is by 1816. It also was used in Middle English in a sense of "similar" (early 15c.).

approximate (v.)

early 15c., "to bring or put close," from Late Latin approximatus, past participle of approximare "to come near to," from Latin ad "to" (see ad-) + proximare "come near," from proximus "nearest," superlative of prope "near" (see propinquity). Intransitive meaning "to come close" is from 1789. Related: Approximated; approximating.

appurtenance (n.)

c. 1300, "right, privilege or possession subsidiary to a principal one," especially in law, "a right, privilege, or improvement belonging to a property," from Anglo-French apurtenance (12c.), Old French apartenance, apertenance, present participle of apartenir "be related to," from Late Latin appertinere "to pertain to, belong to," from Latin ad "to" (see ad-) + pertinere "belong; be the right of" (see pertain).

appurtenant (adj.)

"belonging, incident, or pertaining to," late 14c., from Anglo-French apurtenant, Old French apartenant, apertenant, present participle of apartenir "be related to" (see appurtenance).

appurtenances (n.)

late 14c., "apparatus, gear;" see appurtenance.

A.P.R.

also APR, abbreviation of annual percentage rate, attested from 1979, American English.

apraxia (n.)

"loss of the knowledge of the uses of things," 1877, medical Latin, from German apraxie, coined 1871 by German philologist and philosopher Heymann Steinthal (1823-1899), from Greek apraxia "inaction," from a- "not, without" (see a- (3)) + praxis "a doing, action, business" (see praxis) + abstract noun ending -ia.

apricate (v.)

1690s, "to bask in the sun," from Latin apricatus, past participle of apricari "to bask in the sun," from apricus "exposed" (to the sun; the antonym of opacus "shady"). This is perhaps contracted from *apericus, a derivative of aperire "to open" (see overt). The transitive sense is recorded from 1851. Related: Aprication.

apricot (n.)

roundish, orange-colored, plum-like fruit, 1550s, abrecock, from Catalan abercoc, related to Portuguese albricoque, from Arabic al-birquq, through Byzantine Greek berikokkia which is probably from Latin (mālum) praecoquum "early-ripening (fruit)" (see precocious). The form has been assimilated to French abricot.

Native to the Himalayas, it was introduced in England in 1524. The older Latin name for it was prunum Armeniacum or mālum Armeniacum, in reference to supposed origin in Armenia. As a color name, by 1906.

April

fourth month, c. 1300, aueril, from Old French avril (11c.), from Latin (mensis) Aprilis, second month of the ancient Roman calendar, from a stem of uncertain origin and meaning, with month-name suffix -ilis as in Quintilis, Sextilis (the old names of July and August).

Perhaps based on Apru, an Etruscan borrowing of Greek Aphrodite. Or perhaps *ap(e)rilis "the following, the next," from its place as the second month of the old Roman calendar, from Proto-Italic *ap(e)ro-, from PIE *apo- "away, off" (see apo-; compare Sanskrit aparah "second," Gothic afar "after"). Old folk etymology connected it with Latin aperire "to open."

The name was in English in Latin form from mid-12c.; it replaced Old English Eastermonað, which was named for a fertility goddess (see Easter). It was re-spelled in Middle English on the Latin model (as apprile, a form first attested late 14c.).

April fool (n.)

1680s; see April + fool (n.). April-gowk (from Old Norse gaukr "a cuckoo") is a northern variant. April Fool's Day customs of sending people on false errands seem to have come to England from France late 17c.; originally All Fool's Day (1712). In Cumberland, Westmorland and northern parts of Lancashire and Yorkshire, however, May 1 was the day for hoaxing, and the fool was a May gosling. That custom is attested by 1791.

a priori

1710, "from cause to effect," a Latin term in logic from c. 1300, in reference to reasoning from antecedent to consequent, based on causes and first principles, literally "from what comes first," from priori, ablative of prior "first" (see prior (adj.)). Opposed to a posteriori. Since c. 1840, based on Kant, used more loosely for "cognitions which, though they may come to us in experience, have their origin in the nature of the mind, and are independent of experience" [Century Dictionary]. Related: Apriorist; apriorism; aprioristic. The a is the usual form of Latin ab "off, of, away from" before consonants (see ab-).

apron (n.)

"apparel for covering the front of a person" (especially while at work, to keep clothes clean), mid-15c., faulty separation (as also in adder, auger, umpire) of a napron (c. 1300), from Old French naperon "small table-cloth," diminutive of nappe "cloth," from Latin mappa "napkin." Napron was still in use late 16c. The shift of Latin -m- to -n- was a tendency in Old French (conter from computare, printemps from primum, natte "mat, matting," from matta).

The word was extended 17c. to things which resemble or function like an apron. It has been symbolic of "a wife's business" from 1610s; apron-string tenure in old law was in reference to property held in virtue of one's wife, or during her lifetime only.

apropos (adv.)

1660s, "opportunely," from French à propos "to the purpose," from propos "thing said in conversation, talk; purpose, plan," from Latin propositium "purpose," past participle of proponere "to set forth, propose" (see propound). The meaning "as regards, with reference to" (with of) is by 1761, from French. As an adjective, "to the point or purpose," from 1690s.

apse (n.)

"semicircular extension at the end of a church," 1846, from Latin apsis "an arch, a vault," from Greek hapsis (Ionic apsis) "loop, arch," originally "a fastening, felloe of a wheel," from haptein "fasten together," which is of unknown origin. The original sense in Greek seems to have been the joining of the arcs to form a circle, especially in making a wheel. The architectural term is earlier attested in English in the Latin form (1706). Related: Apsidal.

apsis (n.)

"perigee of the moon, perihelion of a planet" (plural apsides), 1650s, from Latin apsis "arch, vault" (see apse).

apt (adj.)

mid-14c., "inclined, disposed;" late 14c., "suited, fitted, adapted, possessing the necessary qualities for the purpose," from Old French ate "fitting, suitable, appropriate" (13c., Modern French apte), or directly from Latin aptus "fit, suited, proper, appropriate," adjectival use of past participle of *apere "to attach, join, tie to." This is reconstructed to be from PIE root *ap- (1) "to grasp, take, reach" (source also of Sanskrit apnoti "he reaches," Latin apisci "to reach after, attain," Hittite epmi "I seize"). The elliptical sense of "becoming, appropriate" is from 1560s.

aptness (n.)

"state or quality of being apt" in any sense, 1530s, from apt + -ness.

apterous (adj.)

"wingless," 1775, from a- "not, without" (see a- (3)) + pterous, from Greek pteryx "wing" (from PIE root *pet- "to rush, to fly").

apteryx (n.)

"kiwi," zoological name for the flightless birds of New Zealand, 1813, Modern Latin, from Greek a- "without" (see a- (3)) + pteryx "wing" (from PIE root *pet- "to rush, to fly").

aptitude (n.)

early 15c., "tendency, likelihood," from Late Latin aptitudo (genitive aptitudinis) "fitness," noun of quality from Latin aptus "joined, fitted" (see apt). The meaning "natural capacity to learn" is by 1540s; that of "state or quality of being fit (for a purpose or position)" is from 1640s. Related: Aptitudinal. A doublet of attitude.

aptly (adv.)

early 15c., "by natural means;" 1540s, "in a suitable manner," from apt + -ly (2).

aqua (n.)

"water," late 14c., from Latin aqua "water; the sea; rain," from PIE root *akwa- "water." The Latin word was used in late Middle English in combinations in old chemistry and alchemy in the sense of "decoction, solution" (as in aqua regia, a mix of concentrated acids, literally "royal water," so called for its power to dissolve gold and other "noble" metals; also see aqua fortis, aqua vitae). As the name of a light greenish-blue color, by 1936.

aqua-

word-forming element meaning "water," from Latin aqua "water; the sea; rain," cognate with Proto-Germanic *akhwo (source of Old English ea "river," Gothic ahua "river, waters," Old Norse Ægir, name of the sea-god, Old English ieg "island"), from PIE root *akwa- "water."

aquacade (n.)

"aquatic entertainment," 1937, American English, from aqua- + ending abstracted from cavalcade (q.v.).

aquaculture (n.)

"the rearing of aquatic animals or the cultivation of aquatic plants for food," 1867; see aqua- "water" + culture (n.) "cultivating, cultivation." Attested from 1862 in French. Aquiculture "fish-breeding" is recorded from 1867; aquariculture "management of an aquarium and the plants in it" is by 1888.

aqua fortis (n.)

also aquafortis, old commercial name for "diluted nitric acid," c. 1600, Latin, literally "strong water;" for the elements, see aqua- + fort. Also see aqua. So called for its power of dissolving metals (copper, silver) which are unaffected by other agents.

aqualung (n.)

"portable air tanks and apparatus for breathing underwater," 1950, from aqua- + lung. Developed 1943 by Jacques Cousteau and Emile Gagnan.

aquamarine (n.)

1590s, agmarine, "bluish-green type of beryl," from French or Provençal, from Latin aqua marina "sea water," from aqua "water" (from PIE root *akwa- "water") + marina, fem. of marinus "of the sea" (from PIE root *mori- "body of water"). As a description of a bluish-green color, apparently first used by Ruskin, 1846; the abbreviation aqua is attested from 1936.

aquanaut (n.)

"underwater explorer," 1881, in a futuristic novel, from aqua- "water" + ending perhaps from aeronaut (attested by 1784; see aeronautics), ultimately from Greek nautēs "sailor" (from PIE root *nau- "boat").

aquarelle (n.)

"thin water-color painting," 1855, from French aquarelle (18c.), from Italian acquerella "water-color," diminutive of acqua, from Latin aqua "water" (from PIE root *akwa- "water").

Aquarian (adj.)

"pertaining to the zodiacal sign of Aquarius;" see Aquarius + -ian. It was used by 1940 specifically in reference to the astrological Age of Aquarius. Earlier, as a noun, "one who uses water instead of wine at the Eucharist" (1580s).

Aquarius

faint constellation and 11th zodiac sign, late Old English, from Latin aquarius, literally "water carrier," properly an adjective, "pertaining to water" (see aquarium); a loan-translation of Greek Hydrokhoos "the water-pourer," the old Greek name of this constellation.

The Aquarians (1580s) were a former Christian sect; its adherents used water instead of wine at the Lord's Supper. Aquarian Age (alluded to from 1913) is an astrological epoch (based on precession of the equinoxes) supposed to have begun in the 20th century (though in one estimate, 1848), it would be characterized by the traits of this sign, usher in world peace and human brotherhood, and last approximately 2,160 years. The term and the concept probably got a boost in popular use from the rock song "Age of Aquarius" (1967) and when An Aquarian Exposition was used as the sub-title of the Woodstock Music & Art Fair (1969).

aquarium (n.)

1830, "artificial pond in a garden or elsewhere for growing aquatic plants," noun use of neuter of Latin aquarius "pertaining to water" (also, as a noun, "water-carrier"), genitive of aqua "water" (from PIE root *akwa- "water").

The noun aquarium in Latin meant "drinking place for cattle." In English, the meaning "vessel of glass filled with water in which living aquatic animals are kept indoors" is by 1853. The Victorian mania for indoor aquariums began with the book "The Aquarium," published 1854 by English naturalist Philip Henry Gosse. An earlier attempt at a name for "fish tank" was marine vivarium.

aquatic (adj.)

late 15c., "pertaining to water," from Old French aquatique (13c.), from Latin aquaticus "growing in water; bringing rain," from aqua "water" (from PIE root *akwa- "water"). From 1640s as "living in water."

aquatint (n.)

also aqua-tint, 1782, "engraving made with aqua fortis," from Italian acquatinta, from Latin aqua tincta "dyed water;" see aqua- + tinct. The spaces are bitten, instead of the lines as in etching.

aqua vitae (n.)

also aqua-vitae, early 15c., Latin, literally "water of life," an alchemical term for unrefined alcohol. It was applied to brandy, whiskey, etc. from 1540s. For the elements, see aqua- + vital; also see aqua. Compare whiskey, also French eau-de-vie "spirits, brandy," literally "water of life."

aqueduct (n.)

"artificial water channel," 1530s, from Latin aquaeductus, properly aquae ductus "a conveyance of water," from aquae, genitive of aqua "water" (from PIE root *akwa- "water"), + ductus "a leading, conducting," past participle of ducere "to lead" (from PIE root *deuk- "to lead").

aqueous (adj.)

"of the nature of or abounding in water," 1640s, from Latin aqua "water" (from PIE root *akwa- "water") on analogy of French aqueux "watery" (16c., which, however, is from Late Latin aquosus "abounding in water"). Or perhaps it is by analogy of Latin terreus "earthy," from terra "earth." Aqueous humor "watery fluid in the surface of the eye" is the original use in English. Related: Aqueousness.

aquifer (n.)

"water-bearing layer of rock," 1897, from Latin aqui-, combining form of aqua "water" (from PIE root *akwa- "water") + -fer "bearing," from ferre "to bear, carry" (from PIE root *bher- (1) "to carry").

Aquila

northern constellation, late 14c., from Latin aquila "eagle" (see aquiline). It seems also to have been usually represented as an eagle among the ancient Greeks and Arabs.