morale etymology

Etymology

  • Old French: moralité
  • Latin: moralis
  • Indo-European root: *mer- (to think, ponder)

Meaning

The word "morale" has multiple meanings:

  • In general:
    • The state of mind or spirit of a person or group, especially in relation to a particular situation or activity.
    • The collective feelings, attitudes, and beliefs of a group or society.
  • In ethics:
    • The quality of being concerned with the rightness or wrongness of actions.
    • The principles that guide human conduct.

Origin

The word "morale" derives ultimately from the Indo-European root *mer-, which means "to think" or "ponder." The Latin word "moralis" was a derivative of this root and referred to customs or beliefs that governed conduct.

In the Middle Ages, the term "morale" was used in a religious context to describe the quality of being guided by Christian principles. Over time, its meaning expanded to include more secular aspects of human conduct and became associated with the spirit of a group or society.

Today, "morale" encompasses a wide range of meanings, from personal well-being to societal values and principles. It remains a critical concept in psychology, ethics, sociology, and other disciplines concerned with human behavior.

morale relate terms

  • moral

    Etymology French Morale Latin Moralis Root Mos custom character Meaning Rela

  • ethics

    Etymology The word ethics is derived from the Greek word ethos which means characte

  • mood

    Etymology The word mood derives from the Old English mod which means spirit dis

  • morale

    Etymology Old French moralité Latin moralis Indo European root mer to think pond

  • demoralize

    Etymology The word demoralize is derived from the combination of two Latin roots

  • morale

    Etymology Old French moralité Latin moralis Indo European root mer to think pond

  • locale

    Etymology Derived from the Latin word locus meaning place Meaning A specific

  • locus

    Etymology The word locus comes from the Latin word locus which means place or lo

  • morale

    Etymology Old French moralité Latin moralis Indo European root mer to think pond

  • psychological

    Etymology of Psychology The word psychology is derived from two Greek roots Psyche

  • disposition

    Etymology Latin dispositio arrangement disposition From disponere to arrange d

  • temperament

    Etymology Latin temperamentum from temperare to moderate mix blend Temperament is

  • esprit

    Etymology The word esprit comes from the Old French word espirit which in turn comes

  • corps

    Etymology The word corps comes from the Old French word cors which in turn derives

  • team

    Etymology The word team originates from the Middle English word teme which means a

  • spirit

    Etymology The word spirit is derived from the Latin word spiritus which means breat

  • suppose

    Etymology Meaning The study of the origin and development of words Origin Greek ety

  • flush

    Etymology The word flush has two distinct etymologies depending on its meaning 1 T

  • metaphor

    Etymology The word metaphor comes from the Greek word μεταφορά metaphorá whi