Etymology dictionary
senna (n.) — *ser- (1)
senna (n.)
tropical shrub, 1540s (by 1570s in reference to the drug made from dried leaflets of different species), from Modern Latin senna, from Arabic al-senā. Earlier was sene (c. 1400), from French.
sennight (n.)
"period or space of seven days and nights, a week" (archaic), a contraction by late 14c. of late Old English sefennnahht (Orm), itself from Old English seofon nihta literally "seven nights;" see seven + night. Also compare fortnight.
senor
1620s, in Spanish use, "a gentleman;" in address, "sir;" from Spanish señor "a gentleman; sir," from Medieval Latin senior "a lord," a special use of Latin senior "elder" (source also of Portuguese senhor), accusative of senior "older" (from PIE root *sen- "old").
senora
1570s, in Spanish use, "a lady;" in address, "madam;" from Spanish señora "a lady; madam," fem. of señor (see senor). The Portuguese equivalent is senhora.
senorita (n.)
in a Spanish context, "a young Spanish lady;" as a title, "Miss;" 1823, from Spanish señorita, Spanish title corresponding to English "Miss," diminutive of señora (see senora). The Portuguese equivalent is senhorita.
senryu
form of Japanese poetry, 1901, from name of Karai Senryu (1718-90), Japanese poet.
senses (n.)
"one's mental faculties, conscious cognitive powers, sanity," 1560s, from sense (n.). The meaning "faculties of physical sensation" is from 1590s.
sense (n.)
late 14c., "meaning, signification, interpretation" (especially of Holy Scripture); c. 1400, "the faculty of perception;" from Old French sens "one of the five senses; meaning; wit, understanding" (12c.) and directly from Latin sensus "perception, feeling, undertaking, meaning," from sentire "perceive, feel, know."
This probably is a figurative use of a literal meaning "find one's way," or "go mentally." According to Watkins and others, this is from a PIE root *sent- "to go" (source also of Old High German sinnan "to go, travel, strive after, have in mind, perceive," German Sinn "sense, mind," Old English sið "way, journey," Old Irish set, Welsh hynt "way").
The application to any one of the external or outward senses (touch, sight, hearing, any special faculty of sensation connected with a bodily organ) in English is recorded from 1520s. They usually are reckoned as five; sometimes a "muscular sense" and "inner (common) sense" are added (perhaps to make the perfect seven), hence the old phrase the seven senses, sometimes meaning "consciousness in its totality." For the meaning "consciousness, mind generally," see senses.
The meaning "that which is wise, judicious, sensible, or intelligent" is from c. 1600. The meaning "capacity for perception and appreciation" also is from c. 1600 (as in sense of humor, attested by 1783, sense of shame, 1640s). The meaning "a vague consciousness or feeling" is from 1590s.
sense (v.)
1590s, "perceive (an object) by the senses," from sense (n.). The meaning "be conscious inwardly of" (one's state or condition) is from 1680s. The sense of "perceive or understand (a fact or situation) not by direct perception" is from 1872. Related: Sensed; sensing.
sensation (n.)
1610s, "a reaction to external stimulation of the sense organs," from French sensation (14c.) and directly from Medieval Latin sensationem (nominative sensatio) "perception," from Late Latin sensatus "endowed with sense, sensible," from Latin sensus "feeling" (see sense (n.)).
The general sense of "action or faculty of receiving a mental impression from any affectation of the body" is attested in English by 1640s.
The meaning "state of shock, surprise, or excited feeling or interest in a community" is recorded by 1779. Meaning "that which produces excited interest or feeling in a community" is by 1864.
sensate (adj.)
mid-15c., sensat, "endowed with sense; capable of sensation," from Late Latin sensatus "gifted with sense," from sensus "perception, feeling, undertaking, meaning" (see sense (n.)). By 1847 as "perceived by the senses." From 1937 in sociology.
sensational (adj.)
1840, "of or pertaining to sensation or the senses, implying perception through the senses;" 1863, in reference to a literary or artistic work, "aiming at violently excited effects, intended to excite violent emotions;" from sensation in its secondary sense. Related: Sensationalistic; sensationalistically.
sensationalism (n.)
1846 in philosophy, "theory that sensation is the only source of knowledge and ideas;" 1865 in reference to journalism, "writing or language that aims to excite the feelings," from sensational + -ism. Sensation novel is attested by 1856 (Wilkie Collins's often are cited in early examples).
sensationalize (v.)
by 1847 in philosophy; by 1863 in journalism, from sensational + -ize. Originally of audiences ("subject to the influence of sensation") as well as topics ("exaggerate in a sensational manner"). Related: Sensationalized; sensationalizing.
sensationalist
1846 in philosophy, "believer or upholder of the doctrine of sensationalism;" 1868 as "a sensational writer or speaker;" from sensational + -ist. Related: Sensationalistic.
senseless (adj.)
1550s, of persons or their bodies, "without sensation, incapable of feeling," from sense (n.) + -less. By 1580s as "in a state of unconsciousness." Of actions, words, etc., "devoid of purpose, proceeding from lack of intelligence," also "without meaning, contrary to reason or sound judgment" (the senses usually are indistinguishable), it is attested by 1570s. Related: Senselessly; senselessness. There was a senseful "full of meaning; perceptive, aware" (1590s) but it seems not to have been wanted and is obsolete.
sensibility (n.)
late 14c., "capability of being perceived by the physical senses;" also "ability to sense or perceive" (pain, etc.), from Old French sensibilite (14c.), from Late Latin sensibilitatem (nominative sensibilitas), from sensibilis "having feeling: perceptible by the senses," from sensus, past participle of sentire "perceive, feel" (see sense (n.)).
From early 15c. as "understanding, perception." A rare word in the record of English until the emergence 18c. of the meaning "emotional consciousness" (1751), especially "capacity for higher feelings or refined emotion." In English by early 20c. this refinement was felt to have reached such degree of excellence as required a French form, sensibilité. Related: Sensibilities.
sensible (adj.)
late 14c., "capable of sensation or feeling;" also "capable of being sensed or felt, perceptible to the senses," hence "perceptible to the mind, easily understood; logical, reasonable," from Old French sensible and directly from Late Latin sensibilis "having feeling: perceptible by the senses," from sensus, past participle of sentire "to perceive, feel" (see sense (n.)).
Of persons, from c. 1400 as "capable of mental perception, having good sense, clever, discerning;" by early 15c. as "aware, cognizant (of something)." Of actions, discourse, etc., "marked by or proceeding from (good) sense," 1650s. In reference to clothes, shoes, etc., "practical rather than fashionable," it is attested from 1855.
Other Middle English senses included "susceptible to injury or pain" (early 15c., common through 18c., now gone with sensitive); "worldly, temporal, outward" (c. 1400); "carnal, unspiritual" (early 15c., now gone with sensual). Related: Sensibleness.
sensibly (adv.)
late 14c., sensibli, "in a manner perceived to the senses," from sensible + -ly (2). From 1670s as "in an appreciable degree;" the meaning "with good sense" is attested from 1755.
sensitization (n.)
also sensitisation, "act, process, or result of sensitizing; a rendering sensitive," 1862, originally in photography, noun of action from sensitize.
sensitize (v.)
also sensitise, "render sensitive," 1856, in photography; see sensitive + -ize. Of persons from 1880. Related: Sensitized; sensitizer; sensitizing.
sensitive (adj.)
late 14c., sensitif, in reference to the body or its parts, "capable of receiving impressions from external objects, having the function of sensation;" also (c. 1400) in scholastic philosophy, "of or pertaining to the faculty of the soul that receives and analyzes sensory information;" from Old French sensitif "capable of feeling" (13c.) and directly from Medieval Latin sensitivus "capable of sensation," from Latin sensus, past participle of sentire "feel, perceive" (see sense (n.)). Also in early Modern English sencitive.
By 1520s as "of, connected with, or affecting the senses." With reference to persons or mental feelings, "keenly susceptible to external influences," especially "easily touched by emotion, readily wounded by unkindness" (but also "ready to take offense"), by 1816.
The mechanical meaning "so delicately adjusted as to respond quickly to very slight changes or conditions" is by 1857. The Cold War meaning "involving national security" is attested by 1953. Related: Sensitively; sensitiveness.
The purely physical sense, in reference to a living being, skin, etc., "having quick or intense response to sensation," is by 1808; it is preserved in sensitive plant (1630s, also in Shelley's poem), a legume which is "mechanically irritable in a higher degree than almost any other plant" [Century Dictionary].
As a noun, in mesmerism, "one who is sensitive to hypnotic influence," 1850; later "one in whom the sensitive facility is highly developed, an aesthete" (1891).
sensitivity (n.)
"state of being sensitive" in any way, 1803, from sensitive + -ity. The specific meaning "delicacy of feeling, touchiness" is by 1851. Of mechanical devices by 1918. The psychological sensitivity training, meant to increase one's awareness of feelings and motives, is attested by 1954.
sensor (n.)
"device giving a signal about some physical activity," 1947, from a shortened form of sensory (q.v.) or an agent noun in Latin form from sense (v.).
sensory (adj.)
"of or pertaining to sense or sensation, conveying sensation," 1749, from Latin sensorius, from sensus, past participle of sentire "to perceive, feel" (see sense (n.)).
sensorimotor (adj.)
"pertaining to sensation and to motion," 1855, from combining form of sensory + motor (n.).
sensorium (n.)
"the seat of sensation in the brain of humans and higher animals," 1640s, from Late Latin sensorium "the seat or organ of sensation," from sens-, past-participle stem of sentire "to feel" (see sense (n.)) + -orium (see -ory). Related: Sensorial.
sensuality (n.)
mid-14c., sensualite, "the part of man that is concerned with the senses" (now obsolete), also "lust, sinful and passionate emotion," from Old French sensualite "the five senses; impression," from Late Latin sensualitatem (nominative sensualitas) "capacity for sensation" (in Medieval Latin also "sensuality"), from Latin sensualis "endowed with feeling, sensitive," from sensus "feeling" (see sense (n.)). Chiefly "animal instincts and appetites," hence "the lower nature regarded as a source of evil, the lusts of the flesh and their unrestrained gratification" (1620s).
sensualism (n.)
1803, "the philosophical doctrine that the senses are the sole source of knowledge," from sensual + -ism. From 1813 as "addiction to sensual indulgence, state of subjection to sensual appetites."
sensualize (v.)
also sensualise, "render sensual, make sensual, debase by carnal gratification," 1680s, from sensual + -ize. Related: Sensualized; sensualizing; sensualization.
sensual (adj.)
early 15c., "carnal, concerning the body" (in distinction from the spirit or intellect);" mid-15c., "of, affecting, or pertaining to the (physical) senses" (a meaning now obsolete), from Old French sensual, sensuel (15c.) and directly from Late Latin sensualis "endowed with feeling" (see sensuality).
The specific meaning "connected with gratification of the senses" is from late 15c., especially "lewd, unchaste, devoted to voluptuous pleasures." Related: Sensually.
sensualist (n.)
"one given to indulgence of appetites, one who finds happiness in carnal pleasures," 1660s, from sensual + -ist. Related: Sensualistic.
sensuous (adj.)
1640s, "pertaining to or derived from the senses" From Latin sensus (see sense (n.)) + -ous. Apparently coined by Milton to recover the not unfavorable original meaning of sensual and avoid the lascivious connotation the older word had acquired. It was popularized by Coleridge to "express in one word all that appertains to the perception, considered as passive and merely recipient" (1814), and OED reports that "evidence of its use in the intervening period is wanting." By 1870 sensuous, too, had started down the voluptuary path and come to mean "alive to the pleasures of the senses." Related: Sensuously; sensuousness; sensuosity.
Sensurround
1974, proprietary name for movie special effects apparatus, coined from sense (n.) + surround.
sentence (n.)
c. 1200, "doctrine, authoritative teaching; an authoritative pronouncement," from Old French sentence "judgment, decision; meaning; aphorism, maxim; statement of authority" (12c.) and directly from Latin sententia "thought, way of thinking, opinion; judgment, decision," also "a thought expressed; aphorism, saying," an irregular (dissimilated) formation from sentientem, present participle of sentire "be of opinion, feel, perceive" (see sense (n.)). The meaning path is perhaps "way of perceiving in the mind" to "opinion" to "decision, judgment."
It is attested from early 14c. as "judgment rendered by God, or by one in authority;" also in the specific legal sense "a verdict, decision in a court." It is recorded from late 14c. as "understanding, wisdom; edifying subject matter," a sense obsolete but frequent in Chaucer.
It is attested from late 14c. as "subject matter or content of a letter, book, speech, etc.," and also was used in reference to a passage in a written work. The sense of "grammatically complete statement in words" is attested from mid-15c. ("meaning," then "meaning expressed in words.")
sentence (v.)
c. 1400, sentencen, "to pass judgment," from sentence (n.) or from Old French sentenciir, from Medieval Latin sententiare "pronounce judgment upon," from Latin sententia. Specifically as "condemn" (to a punishment) is by 1590s. Related: Sentenced; sentencing.
sentential (adj.)
late 15c., sentencial, "full of wisdom," of maxims, etc., from Latin sententialis, from sententia "thought; expression of a thought" (see sentence (n.)). By 1640s as "of or pertaining to a sentence." Related: Sententially.
sententious (adj.)
mid-15c., sentencious, "full of meaning" (a sense now obsolete); late 15c., "full of pithy sentences or sayings;" from Latin sententiosus "full of meaning, pithy," from sententia "thought; expression of a thought" (see sentence (n.)). Meaning "addicted to pompous moralizing, given to the use of pithy sayings" is recorded from 1590s. Related: Sententiously; sententiousness.
sentience (n.)
1817, "faculty of sense; sentient character or state, feeling, consciousness, susceptibility to sensation;" see sentient + -ence. Related: Sentiency (1796).
sentient (adj.)
1630s, "capable of feeling, having the power of or characterized by the exercise of sense-perception," from Latin sentientem (nominative sentiens) "feeling," present participle of sentire "to feel" (see sense (n.)). Related: Sentiently.
sentimentalism (n.)
"tendency to be swayed by sentiment; sentimental habit of mind," 1801, from sentimental + -ism. Originally especially in reference to the philosophy of Rousseau.
sentimentality (n.)
"quality of being sentimental," 1768, from sentimental + -ity. Compare sentimentalism.
sentimental (adj.)
1749, "pertaining to or characterized by sentiment, appealing to sentiment rather than reason," from sentiment + -al (1). At first without pejorative connotations; the meaning "too tender-hearted, apt to be swayed by sentiment" is attested by 1768 (implied in sentimentality). The French word is said to be from English. Related: Sentimentally.
sentimentalize (v.)
also sentimentalise, 1764, intransitive, "indulge in sentiments, play the sentimentalist," from sentimental + -ize. Meaning "to make sentimental" (transitive) is from 1813. Related: Sentimentalized; sentimentalizing.
sentiment (n.)
late 14c., sentement, "personal experience, one's own feeling," from Old French santement, sentement (12c.) and directly from Medieval Latin sentimentum "feeling, affection, opinion," from Latin sentire "to feel" (see sense (n.)).
The original sense was obsolete after Middle English. From early 15c. as "intention, inclination." The meaning "what one feels about something, thought, opinion, notion" (1630s) and modern spelling seem to be a re-introduction from French (where it was spelled sentiment by 17c.).
In this sense a vogue word by mid-18c. with wide application, commonly "higher feeling, a thought colored by or proceeding from emotion," especially as expressed in literature or art (by 1709). The 17c. sense is preserved in phrases such as my sentiments exactly.
sentimentalist (n.)
"one guided by mere sentiment; one who lets sentiment predominate over reason," 1768, from sentimental + -ist.
sentinel (n.)
1570s, "a soldier stationed as a guard;" 1580s, "watch or guard kept by a soldier stationed for that purpose;" from French sentinelle (16c.), from Italian sentinella "a sentinel." OED writes that "No convincing etymology of the It. word has been proposed," but perhaps it is (via a notion of "perceive, watch"), from sentire "to hear," from Latin sentire "feel, perceive by the senses" (see sense (n.)). As an adjective by 1650s.
sentry (n.)
1610s, "a defensive military watchtower;" perhaps a shortened variant of sentinel, which had a variant form centrinel (1590s); or perhaps it is from sentry, a 16c. worn-down form of sanctuary (n.), on the notion of "shelter for a watchman." The meaning "military guard posted around a camp" is attested by 1630s. Sentry-box, "booth to give shelter to a sentry in bad weather," is from 1728.
Seoul
South Korean capital, from Korean soul, literally "capital." It was the national capital from 1392 until Japanese annexation in 1910.
sepal (n.)
in botany, "leaf of the calyx," 1821, from French sépal, from Modern Latin sepalum (H.J. de Necker, 1790), coined from Latin separatus "separate, distinct" (see separate (v.)) + petalum "petal" (see petal).
separates (n.)
"articles of (women's) clothing that may be worn in various combinations," 1945, from separate (adj.). Earlier, in the publishing trade, the word meant "printed article or document issued separately, for distribution, from the volume of which it forms a part" (1886). As a noun, separate is attested from 1610s in the sense "separatist."
separate (v.)
early 15c., separaten, transitive, "remove, detach completely; divide (something), sever the connection or association of," from Latin separatus, past participle of separare "to pull apart," from se- "apart" (see secret (n.)) + parare "make ready, prepare" (from PIE root *pere- (1) "to produce, procure"). Sever (q.v.) is a doublet, via French. Intransitive sense of "to part, be or become disunited or disconnected" is by 1630s of things, 1680s of persons. Related: Separated; separating.
separation (n.)
c. 1400, separacioun, "a severing, detaching, cutting apart, act of removing or disconnecting one thing from another," from Old French separacion (Modern French séparation) and directly from Latin separationem (nominative separatio) noun of action from past-participle stem of separare "to pull apart," from se- "apart" (see secret (n.)) + parare "make ready, prepare" (from PIE root *pere- (1) "to produce, procure"). Alternative separateness (1650s) tends to hold to the meaning "distinct character or state, fact of being separate."
The specific sense of "sundering of a married couple, limited divorce" (without dissolution of the marriage tie) is attested from c. 1600. Sense in printing in reference to proportionate monochrome representations of a color photograph is from 1922.
Separation of powers is attested by 1792, from French séparée de la puissance (Montesquieu, 1748). The idea was discussed in several places in "The Federalist" (1788), but not in that exact phrase (e.g. separation of the departments of power, No. 81). In psychology, the child's separation anxiety is attested from 1943.
separative
"tending to separate," 1590s, from French séparatif (16c.), from Late Latin separativus "pertaining to separation," from Latin separare "to pull apart" (see separate (v.)).
separable (adj.)
late 14c., "detached, separated, distinct" (a sense now obsolete), from Old French separable and directly from Latin separabilis, from separare "to pull apart" (see separate (v.)). The meaning "capable of being disjointed or disunited" is from 1530s. Related: Separableness; separably; separability.
separator (n.)
c. 1600, "separatist, one who separates," agent noun in Latin form from separate (v.) or from Late Latin separator "one who separates." As a mechanical device for separating one thing from another, by 1831.
separated (adj.)
1530s, past-participle adjective from separate (v.). In reference to married couples deciding to live apart, from 1878.
separate (adj.)
"detached, kept apart, divided from the rest," c. 1600, from separate (v.) or from Latin separatus. Separate also was used as a past-participle adjective in Middle English, "cut off from the main body," also, of a spouse, "estranged." The meaning "individual, particular" is from 1670s, on the notion of "withdrawn or divided from something else," hence "peculiar to one but not others."
Separate but equal in reference to U.S. segregation policies on railroads, etc. is attested by 1890 (Henry W. Grady); it was used in 1870s of medical courses for women at universities. Separate development, official name of apartheid in South Africa, is from 1955. Related: Separately (1550s); separateness.
separatism (n.)
"disposition to withdraw from some combination or union," 1620s, from separate + -ism. Especially in reference to a withdrawal from an established church, or to Church and State; from 1866 in a purely political sense.
separationist (n.)
"one who advocates or favors separation" in any sense, 1831, from separation + -ist. Related: Separationism.
separatist
"one who withdraws himself or favors separation," c. 1600; see separate (v.) + -ist. First used in a denominational religious sense, "a dissenter;" in reference to political separations by 1871. Also used of specific sects. As an adjective by 1830.
separatrix (n.)
a line or hooked line used to separate printed figures, originally with numerals and used where modern texts use a decimal point, 1650s, from Late Latin (linea) separatrix, feminine of separator, agent noun from separare "to pull apart" (see separate (v.)). It survives in proofreading.
Sephardim
plural of Sephardi "a Spanish or Portuguese Jew," 1851, from Modern Hebrew Sepharaddim "Spaniards, Jews of Spain," from Sepharad, name of a country mentioned only in Obadiah v.20, probably meaning "Asia Minor" or a part of it (Lydia, Phrygia), but identified by the rabbis after the Targum Jonathan as "Spain." As distinct from Ashkenazim (q.v.). Related: Sephardic.
sepia (n.)
"rich brown pigment," 1821, from Italian seppia "cuttlefish," from Latin sepia "cuttlefish," from Greek sēpia "cuttlefish," a word of uncertain origin. Some connect it to sēpein "to make rotten" (see sepsis). Beekes finds this "semantically possible" (perhaps referring to the ink that smells as if it is rotten) but formally problematic and suggests it might be Pre-Greek.
The color was that of brown paint or ink prepared from the fluid secretions of the cuttlefish. The meaning "a sepia drawing" is recorded from 1863. English sepia in the sense of "cuttlefish" is attested from late 14c. but is rare. The Latin word also is the source of Spanish xibia, French seiche, etc., with many dialectal variants. Related: Sepian; sepic.
sepoy (n.)
"native of India in British military service," 1717, from Portuguese sipae, "native soldier," in distinction from a European soldier, from Urdu sipahi, from Persian sipahi "soldier, horseman," from sipah "army." The Sepoy Mutiny against British rule in India took place 1857-8.
sepsis (n.)
"putrefaction, decomposition, rot," 1876, from Modern Latin sepsis, from Greek sēpsis "putrefaction," from sēpein "to rot," a word of unknown origin, possibly Pre-Greek.
sept-
see septi-.
sept (n.)
"enclosed area," 1540s, from Latin septum (see septum). As "division of a nation or tribe," 1510s, it is apparently a different word, "prob. a var. of sect" [OED].
septangle (n.)
"geometric figure having seven sides and seven angles," 1550s, from Late Latin septangulus, from Latin sept- "seven" (see septi-) + angulus "angle" (see angle (n.)). Related: Septangular.
septem-
word-forming element meaning "seven," from Latin septem-, from septem "seven" (see seven). "The Cloister and the Hearth" (1861) has septemvious "going seven different ways" (with Latin via "way").
September
"ninth month of the Roman year," late Old English Septembre, from Old French septembre, setembre, and directly from Latin September (also source of Old French Septembre, Spanish Setiembre, Italian Settembre, German September), from septem "seven" (see seven).
So called because it was the original seventh month of the old Roman calendar, which began the year in March; Julian calendar reform (46 B.C.E.) shifted the new year back two months. For -ber suffix, see December. The native names are Old English hærfestmonað ("harvest month"), haligmonað ("holy month"). By late 14c. as figurative of a later stage of life. Related: Septembral; Hawthorne has Septemberish. Septembrian as "belonging to September" is by 1800; earlier it was a noun, "one who believes that our Lord was born in September" (1640s); also see Septembrist.
Septembrist (n.)
1798 in reference to French history, a participant in the massacre by the mob of the political prisoners in Paris, Sept. 2-5, 1792. In French, Septembriseur, hence English Septembriser (1797). Hence also septembrize "assassinate while in custody" (1793).
septemdecimal (adj.)
"of seventeen years," 1855, originally and usually in reference to cicadas, from Latin septemdecim "seventeen" (see seven, ten) + -al (1). Related: Septemdecimally. Septemdecenary "occurring once in 17 years," also of cicadas, is attested by 1843 (in William Kirby and William Spence, "An Introduction to Entomology," an etymology/entomology contact).
septemvir (n.)
"one of a body of seven men," 1760, from Latin septem "seven" (see seven) + vir "man" (from PIE root *wi-ro- "man").
septenary (adj.)
"consisting of or relating to seven," c. 1600, from Latin septenarius "consisting of seven," from septeni (plural) "seven apiece, by sevens," from septem "seven" (see seven). Especially in reference to the week. As a noun, "group or set of seven," from 1590s; as "period of seven years," 1570s.
septennial (adj.)
1640s, "lasting or continuing seven years," with -al (1) + Latin septennium "period of seven years," from septennis "of seven years," from septem "seven" (see seven) + annus "year" (see annual (adj.)). Related: Septennially.
septentrion (n.)
"the Big Dipper, the seven prominent stars of the Great Bear;" Middle English septentrioun (1530s in reference to the star pattern; late 14c. as "the North," and septentrional "northern," in reference to the sky, is attested from late 14c.), from Latin septentriones, septemtriones (plural) "the Great Bear, the seven stars of the Big Dipper;" also figuratively "the northern regions, the North;" literally "seven plow oxen," from septem "seven" (see seven) + trio (genitive triones) "plow ox," from stem of terere (past participle tritus) "to rub" (from PIE root *tere- (1) "to rub, turn"). Also see Charles's Wain. Related: Septentrional.
septet (n.)
1828, septett, "musical work for seven voices or instruments," from German Septett, from Latin septem "seven" (see seven). The meaning "company or group of seven" is attested by 1886.
septi-
before vowels sept-, word-forming element meaning "seven," from Latin septem (see seven). A parallel formation to septem-.
septic (adj.)
c. 1600, "of or pertaining to sepsis; putrefaction, putrefying," from Latin septicus "of or pertaining to putrefaction," from Greek sēptikos "characterized by putrefaction," from sēptos, verbal adjective of sēpein "make rotten or putrid, cause to rot" (see sepsis). In modern use especially of infections or diseases caused by putrefaction. Septic tank is attested from 1902.
septicemia (n.)
in medicine, "sepsis poisoning, putrefaction," 1857, Modern Latin septicæmia, from French septicoemi, coined irregularly by French physician Pierre-Adolphe Piorry (1794-1879) in 1837 from Greek septikos (see septic) + haima "blood" (see -emia). Related: Septicemic.
septillion (n.)
in France and the U.S., "the eighth power of 1,000" (1 followed by 24 zeroes); in the British system of numeration, "1 million to the seventh power" (1 followed by 42 zeroes), 1680s, from sept- (see septi-) + word-forming element abstracted from million. Compare billion.
septuagenarian (adj.)
"of age 70, seventy-year-old, between 70 and 80 years old," 1793, from Latin septuagenarius "containing seventy," from septuageni "seventy each," related to septuaginta "seventy" (see Septuagint). The noun meaning "a 70-odd-year-old person, person between 70 and 80 years old" is recorded by 1805. As an adjective, septuagenary "consisting of seventy; pertaining to someone 70-odd-years-old" is recorded from c. 1600.
Septuagint (n.)
"Greek version of the Old Testament," 1630s, earlier as the word for the translators collectively (1570s), from Late Latin septuaginta (interpretes) "the seventy (interpreters)," from Latin septuaginta "seventy" (translating Greek hebdomēkonta), from septem "seven" (see seven) + -ginta "tens, ten times" (from PIE *dkm-ta-, from root *dekm- "ten").
So called in reference to the (incorrect) tradition that the translation was done 3c. B.C.E. by 70 or 72 Jewish scholars (in Middle English, the Seuenty turneres) from Palestine and completed in 70 or 72 days. The translation is believed now to have been carried out at different times by an undetermined number of Egyptian Jews. Often denoted by Roman numerals, LXX. Related: Septuagintal.
septum (n.)
"wall separating two cavities," especially "the partition between the nostrils," 1690s, Modern Latin, from Latin saeptum "a fence, enclosure, partition," from neuter past participle of saepire "to hedge in," from saepes "a hedge, a fence," which de Vaan suggests is from a PIE *seh-i- "to tie." Related: Septal.
sepulchre (n.)
also sepulcher, c. 1200, sepulcre, "tomb, burial place," especially the cave where Jesus was buried outside Jerusalem (Holy Sepulcher or Saint Sepulcher), from Old French sepulcre, sepulchre, "tomb; the Holy Sepulchre" (11c.), from Latin sepulcrum (also, erroneously, sepulchrum) "grave, tomb, place where a corpse is buried," from root of sepelire "to bury, embalm," originally "to perform rituals on a corpse."
This is held to be from PIE *sepel-io- "to honor," with a cognate in Sanskrit saparyati "to honor, worship." Whited sepulchre "hypocrite" is from Matthew xxiii.27.
sepulchral (adj.)
1610s, "of or pertaining to a burial, burial customs, or a place of burial," from Latin sepulcralis "of a tomb, sepulchral," from sepulcrum (see sepulchre) + -al (1). Transferred sense of "gloomy, suggestive of a graveyard or tomb" is from 1711. Related: Sepulchrally.
sepulture (n.)
"burial, interment," early 14c., from Old French sepulture, sepouture "tomb, coffin" (12c.) and directly from Latin sepultura "burial, funeral obsequies," from sepult-, past-participle stem of sepelire "to bury" (see sepulchre). In Middle English it was confused with sepulchre. Related: Sepultural.
sequacious (adj.)
"given to following leaders," 1630s, from Latin sequac-, stem of sequax "that follows, following, seeking after," from sequi "to follow" (from PIE root *sekw- (1) "to follow") + -ous. Related: Sequaciously; sequaciousness; sequacity "pliability" (1620s).
sequel (n.)
mid-15c., "consequence of an event or action, a corollary; that which follows and forms a continuation," from Old French sequelle, sequele (14c.) and directly from Late Latin sequela "that which follows, result, consequence," from sequi "to follow, come after, follow after, attend, follow naturally" (from PIE root *sekw- (1) "to follow").
Specifically "a story that follows and continues another" by 1510s.
Also in Middle English "offspring, issue descendants;" also "train of followers, retinue." Beerbohm uses sequelula "a small sequel" (1912).
sequela (n.)
plural sequelae, 1793, originally in pathology, "disease or morbid condition resulting from a previous disease," from Latin sequela "that which follows, consequence" (see sequel).
sequence (n.)
late 14c., in church music, a composition said or sung after the Alleluia and before the Gospel, from Old French sequence "answering verses" (13c.) and directly from Medieval Latin sequentia "a following, a succession," from Latin sequentem (nominative sequens), present participle of sequi "to follow" (from PIE root *sekw- (1) "to follow").
In Church use, a partial loan-translation of Greek akolouthia, from akolouthos "following." By 1570s in the general sense of "a series of things following in a certain order, a succession," also in cards, "a run of three or more consecutive numbers of the same suit." By 1580s as "order of succession." In biochemistry in reference to nucleic acids, by 1959.
sequence (v.)
"arrange in a sequence," 1954, in computing, from sequence (n.). In biochemistry by 1970. Related: Sequenced; sequencing.
sequent (adj.)
1550s, "following, continuing in the same course or order," from Old French sequent "following, subsequent," from Latin sequentem (nominative sequens) "next, following," present participle of sequi "to follow" (see sequel). As a noun from 1580s, "a follower" (rare); by 1833 as "that which follows in the same course or order."
sequential (adj.)
"that follows as a sequence, being in succession," 1816, from Late Latin sequentia (see sequence) + -al (1). Related: Sequentially.
sequester (v.)
late 14c., sequestren, transitive, "remove (something), set aside; quarantine, isolate (someone); excommunicate;" also intransitive, "separate oneself from," from Old French sequestrer (14c.) and directly from Late Latin sequestrare "to place in safekeeping," from Latin sequester "trustee, mediator," noun use of an adjective meaning "intermediate," which probably is related to sequi "to follow" (from PIE root *sekw- (1) "to follow").
The legal meaning "seize by authority, confiscate" is attested from 1510s. The alternative verb sequestrate is early 15c. (Chauliac), from the Latin past participle sequestratus. Related: Sequestered; sequestering.
sequestration (n.)
c. 1400, sequestracioun, "separation; banishment, exile," from Old French sequestracion and directly from Late Latin sequestrationem (nominative sequestratio) "a depositing, a sequestering," noun of action from past-participle stem of Latin sequestrare "to place in safekeeping" (see sequester). By 1560s as "state of being sequestered."
sequin (n.)
1610s as the name of an Italian and Turkish gold coin, from French sequin (17c.), from Italian zecchino, the name of a gold coin minted by the Venetian Republic, from zecca "a mint" (13c.), which is from Arabic sikka "a minting die," hence, by extension, "coined money, coinage."
The meaning "ornamental disc or spangle" is by 1852 in fashion articles, also in descriptions of the attire of women in the Orient, who wore the Venetian coins perforated as earrings or necklaces. The Ladies' Department of "The Genesee Farmer" reports in November 1865 that "Head dresses are all in the Greek style, either fillets of velvet studded with beads, or stars of gilt silver, silver, or steel, or else they are hung with chains of gilt sequins." The past-participle adjective sequined is by 1889.
sequitur
introducing an inference or conclusion, Latin, "it follows," from sequi "to follow" (from PIE root *sekw- (1) "to follow").
sequoia (n.)
large American coniferous tree, 1857, from Modern Latin tree genus name given 1847 by Austrian botanist Stephan Endlicher (1804-1849), originally to a different tree, the coast redwood, apparently in honor of Sequoya (a.k.a. George Guess, 1760-1843), the Cherokee man who invented a system of writing for his people's language, whose name is from Cherokee (Iroquoian) Sikwayi, a word of unknown etymology.
Endlicher was a specialist in conifers, and he also was a philologist. But he never gave an etymology of this name and a search of his papers discovered no mention of Sequoya or the Cherokee writing system, and the connection is an assumption that some botanists have challenged, though no better candidate for a source has been found.
The giant sequoia was unseen by Europeans until 1833 and unknown to scientists until 1852. In May 1855, a pair of American botanists named it Taxodium giganteum, but that name was deemed inappropriate for scientific reasons. English botanist John Lindley, who had never been to California, in 1853 named it Wellingtonia in honor of the Duke of Wellington. "As high as Wellington towers above his contemporaries, as high towers this California tree above the forest surrounding it. Therefore, it shall bear for all time to come the name Wellingtonia gigantea." This sat poorly with the Americans, and much ink was spilled until a French botanist provided the solution by transferring Endlicher's name. In Britain it is still popularly called Wellingtonia.
*ser- (1)
Proto-Indo-European root meaning "to protect." It forms all or part of: conservation; conservative; conserve; observance; observatory; observe; preserve; reservation; reserve; reservoir.
It is the hypothetical source of/evidence for its existence is provided by: Avestan haurvaiti "to guard;" Latin servare "to guard, keep, watch;" Old Church Slavonic xraniti "to guard, protect;" Old High German gi-sarwi "armor, equipment," Old English searu "art, skill; wile, deceit."