jealous

The story

1. Ancient Greek · derived fromζῆλος“zeal, jealousy”
2. Late Latin · derived fromzelosus
3. Old French · derived fromjalous
4. Middle English · inherited fromjelous
5. English todayjealous

First attested in 1382. From Middle English jelous, gelous, gelus, from Old French jalous, from Late Latin zelosus, from Ancient Greek ζῆλος (zêlos, “zeal, jealousy”). Doublet of zealous.

Words from the same roots

First known use, by meaning

• from 13th c. Suspecting rivalry in love; troubled by worries that one might have been replaced in someone's affections; suspicious of a lover's or spouse's fidelity.
• from 14th c. Protective; zealously guarding; careful in the protection of something (or someone) one has or appreciates, especially one's spouse or lover.
• from 14th c. Envious; feeling resentful or angered toward someone for a perceived advantage or success, material or otherwise.