difficult etymology

Etymology

The word "difficult" originates from the Latin word "difficilis," which means "hard to do, perform, or accomplish." It is composed of the prefix "dis-," meaning "apart" or "not," and the root "facilis," meaning "easy."

Meaning

  1. Hard to do, perform, or accomplish; requiring much effort or skill.
  2. Not easily understood; complex or abstruse.
  3. Causing trouble, worry, or annoyance; distressing.
  4. Harsh or unpleasant, especially in manner or expression.

Origin

The word "difficult" entered the English language in the 14th century via Old French "difficile." The Old French word was derived from the Latin "difficilis," which ultimately traces its roots to the Proto-Indo-European root "*dʰeh₁-," meaning "to put, place."

Semantic Evolution

Over time, the meaning of "difficult" has undergone a slight shift. In its original Latin form, "difficilis" primarily referred to something that was physically challenging or difficult to accomplish. However, as the word was adopted into English, it also came to encompass intellectual and emotional challenges. Today, the word "difficult" encompasses a wide range of meanings, from physical obstacles to intellectual puzzles to emotional distress.

difficult relate terms

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