English
aptitude
Aptitude comes from Medieval Latin aptitudo ‘aptitude, fitness’, from Latin aptus ‘apt, fit’, and ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *h₂ep-.
- Proto-Indo-Europeanc. 4500–2500 BCE*h₂ep-‘to join, fit (in)’reconstructed
- Proto-Indo-European, derivedc. 4500–2500 BCE*h₂ptósreconstructed
- Proto-Italicc. 1500–700 BCE*aptosreconstructed
- Latinc. 75 BCE–200 CEaptus‘apt, fit’
- Medieval Latinc. 600–1500aptitudo‘aptitude, fitness’
- Middle Frenchc. 1400–1600aptitude
- Englishtodayaptitude
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed deepest recorded ancestor
Lineage
- Proto-Indo-Europeanc. 4500–2500 BCE*h₂ep-‘to join, fit (in)’reconstructed
- Proto-Indo-European, derivedc. 4500–2500 BCE*h₂ptósreconstructed
- Proto-Italicc. 1500–700 BCE*aptosreconstructed
- Latinc. 75 BCE–200 CEaptus‘apt, fit’
- Medieval Latinc. 600–1500aptitudo‘aptitude, fitness’
- Middle Frenchc. 1400–1600aptitude
- Englishtodayaptitude
Equivalent to apt + -itude
Proto-Indo-European *h₂ep- ‘to join, fit (in)’
Proto-Indo-European *h₂ptós
Proto-Italic *aptos
Latin aptus ‘suitable, fitting’
Old French apte
English apt
Linked words
through Proto-Indo-European *h₂ep- ‘to join, fit (in)’
through Latin aptus ‘apt, fit’
through Medieval Latin aptitudo ‘aptitude, fitness’
Today it means
noun A natural ability to acquire knowledge or skill.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Proto-Indo-European *h₂ep- / aptitude