English
substantive
Substantive comes from Old French substantif.
- Old Frenchc. 842–1400substantif
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500same form
- Englishearliest quotation 1627substantive
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Lineage
- Old Frenchc. 842–1400substantif
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500same form
- Englishearliest quotation 1627substantive
Earliest quotation: 1627, New Atlantis. A Worke Vnfinished.: “Hee therefore taking into Conſideration, how ſufficient and ſuſstantiue…”
Every English word from Old French substantif
Today it means
adj Of the essence or essential element of a thing.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Old French substantif / substantive