Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “seduction” come from?

Seduction comes from Middle French séduction, derived from Latin seductio, a noun formed from Latin duco meaning "to lead," ultimately from Proto-Indo-European dewk- with the same sense.

seduction (English): The act of seducing; The felony of, as a man,...

Definitions

  1. The act of seducing; The felony of, as a man,...

Ancestry of “seduction”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle Frenchséduction—
2Latinseductioseparation; seduction
3Latin-tiō—
4Latindissertātiō—
5Latindissertusarranged, disposed; explained
6Latindissereresecond-person singular future passive indicative...
7Latindis-asunder, apart, in two; reversal, removal;...
8Latincalceusshoe
9Latincalxlimestone; chalk; the finish line
10Ancient Greekχάλιξsmall stone, pebble; gravel, rubble

Words derived from “seduction”

  • hypnoseduction
Every word from Ancient Greek χάλιξ →