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commode

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Etymology and origin of the Latin word commode

Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
c. 250–184 BC, Plautus
Ultimate origin
Proto-Indo-European (*med-o-)

Forms

commodē (comparative commodius, superlative commodissimē)[1]

Etymology

It is the adverb of commodus (“fitting, convenient”), formed with -ē.[2][3] The adjective is built on modus (“measure”), which de Vaan derives from Proto-Italic *medo- (“measure, judgement”) and Proto-Indo-European *med-o- (“measure”).[4] Cognate with Umbrian meřs (“law”) and Oscan meddíss (“magistrate”).[4]

Earliest recorded meaning

Plautus has a cook who would dress the food properly enough for its dignity, in the Bacchides;[2] Köbler also gives Plautus.[3]

Semantic evolution

It is in a fitting manner, properly, neatly, as Plautus' “is my hair arranged neatly enough?”, and aptly, as his “the plan is aptly and wittily laid”.[2] It is adequately or suitably, as in Celsus, and at the right moment, as Plautus' “but look, I see just the men to ask standing here”.[2] It is conveniently or readily, as in Cicero, helpfully or obligingly, agreeably, as Plautus' girl who is not only pretty but talks nicely too, and comfortably, also of health, as Cicero's wish that his freedman recover as comfortably as possible.[2][1]

Timeline

  • c. 250–184 BC – Plautus of food, hair and timing.[2][3]
  • 81–43 BC – Cicero of convenience and of recovering in comfort.[2][3]
  • 14–37 AD – Celsus of a remedy that answers well.[2][3]

Meanings

Adverb

  1. Properly, fittingly; neatly; aptly.[2][1]
  2. Adequately, suitably; at the right moment, opportunely.[2][1]
  3. Conveniently, readily.[2][1]
  4. Obligingly, helpfully.[2]
  5. Agreeably, pleasingly.[2]
  6. Comfortably; in good health.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b c d e Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  4. ^ a b de Vaan, Michiel (2008), Etymological Dictionary of Latin and the other Italic Languages, Leiden Indo-European Etymological Dictionary Series 7, Leiden; Boston: Brill
Cite this entry

“Commode.” Etymologically, 19 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/la/commode. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·