Where does “important” come from?
Important derives from Middle English important, from Medieval Latin importans, from Latin importo meaning "to bring in," itself formed from Latin in and Latin in, ultimately tracing to Proto-Indo-European ne and Proto-Indo-European h₁én.
important (English): Having relevant and crucial value; Pompous;...
Definitions
- Having relevant and crucial value; Pompous;...
Ancestry of “important”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middle English | important | — |
| 2 | Medieval Latin | importans | importing; introducing, causing |
| 3 | Latin | importo | I bring, carry or convey into; bring in from... |
| 4 | Latin | in- | un-, non-, not; in, within, inside |
| 5 | Latin | in | in, at, on, upon, from; within, while in; into,... |
| 6 | Old Latin | en | in |
| 7 | Proto-Italic | en | in |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | h₁én | in |