couth etymology

Etymology

• Old French: cooth ("known, familiar, courteous")
• Medieval Latin: couthus ("known")
• Latin: cognitus ("known")
• Proto-Indo-European: ***(g)nō- ("to know")

Meaning and Origin

The word couth originated in the Proto-Indo-European root *(g)nō-, meaning "to know." This root has given rise to numerous words related to knowledge and social behavior.

In Old French, the word cooth referred to something that was known or familiar. From this sense, it developed the meaning of "courteous" or "polite," as a person who was familiar with social conventions would be expected to behave in a courteous manner.

The word couth was introduced into English in the 14th century. It was initially used in the sense of "known" or "familiar," but it gradually took on the more specific meaning of "courteous" or "refined."

Today, couth is used to describe someone who is well-mannered and socially acceptable. It is often contrasted with the word uncouth, which means "boorish" or "ill-mannered."

couth relate terms

• couth

  Etymology Old French cooth known familiar courteous Medieval Latin couthus kno

• uncouth

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• cunning

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• could

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• would

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• should

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• uncouth

  Etymology The word uncouth comes from Middle English uncouthe which in turn origina

• seldom

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• rise

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• element

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