Where does “magnanimity” come from?
Magnanimity derives from Middle French magnanimité, from Latin magnanimitas (formed with the suffix -tas from animus, "mind" or "spirit"), ultimately from Proto-Italic anamos and Proto-Indo-European h₂enh₁mos, related to the root h₂enh₁-.
magnanimity (English): The quality of being magnanimous; greatness of...
Definitions
- The quality of being magnanimous; greatness of...
Ancestry of “magnanimity”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middle French | magnanimité | — |
| 2 | Latin | magnanimitas | magnanimity |
| 3 | Latin | magnanimus | brave, bold, noble; magnanimous; generous |
| 4 | Latin | animus | That life-giving aspect which animates: life... |
| 5 | Proto-Italic | anamos | breath; spirit, soul, life force |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | h₂enh₁mos | breath |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | h₂enh₁- | to breathe |