Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “exceptionalism” come from?

Exceptionalism derives from English exception, which comes from Old French excepcion, from Latin exceptio, a noun formed with the suffix -tio from ex- meaning "out" and capere meaning "to take."

exceptionalism (English): The state of being special, exceptional or...

Definitions

  1. The state of being special, exceptional or...

Ancestry of “exceptionalism”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishexceptionalForming an exception; not ordinary; uncommon;...
2EnglishexceptionThe act of excepting or excluding; exclusion;...
3Middle Englishexception—
4Anglo-Normanexcepcioun—
5Old Frenchexcepcion—
6Latinexceptiō—
7Latin-tiō—
8Latindissertātiō—
9Latindissertusarranged, disposed; explained
10Latindissereresecond-person singular future passive indicative...
11Latindis-asunder, apart, in two; reversal, removal;...
12Latincalceusshoe
13Latincalxlimestone; chalk; the finish line
14Ancient Greekχάλιξsmall stone, pebble; gravel, rubble
Every word from Ancient Greek χάλιξ →