English
infatuate
Infatuate may come from Middle English infatuate.
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500infatuateuncertain
- Englishearliest quotation 1624same form
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Lineage
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500infatuateuncertain
- Englishearliest quotation 1624same form
Earliest quotation: 1624, John Donne, Devotions upon Emergent Occasions: “[…] wee beggard our selues by hearkning after false…”
first attested First attested in 1533 (as stated in the etymology)
The story
First attested in 1533; from Middle English infatuate and/or borrowed from Latin infatuātus, see -ate (verb-forming suffix) and Etymology 2 for more.
Every English word from Middle English infatuate
Today it means
verb To inspire with unreasoning love, attachment or enthusiasm.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Middle English infatuate / infatuate