regret etymology

Etymology:

  • Old French: regretter
  • Late Latin: regretari, meaning "to murmur, complain"
  • Possibly from Vulgar Latin: regrattare, meaning "to scrape together"

Meaning and Origin:

The word "regret" has evolved through several stages to acquire its current meaning:

  • 12th century: Murmur, complaint, dissatisfaction
  • 14th century: Sorrow, grief, remorse
  • 15th century: Looking back with sorrow or disappointment, wishing one had done something differently

The original Latin sense of "regrattare" suggests that regret may have originated from the idea of "scraping together" unhappy thoughts or feelings after an event has passed. Over time, the word came to be associated with the emotional experience of disappointment, self-reproach, and a longing to alter the past.

Current Usage:

"Regret" now refers to a feeling of sorrow, disappointment, or remorse caused by a past action or inaction. It often involves a sense of missed opportunity, a wish that things had turned out differently, or a recognition of a mistake.

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