Etymology

organic

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Today it means: Pertaining to or derived from living organisms. Full definition →

First used 1778Middle English organic ← Old French organique ← Latin organicus
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The story

  1. Latin · derived fromorganicus
  2. Old French · derived fromorganique
  3. Middle English · inherited fromorganic
  4. English todayorganic

From Middle English organic, organik, from Old French organique, from Latin organicus.

First known use, by meaning

  • from 1778 Pertaining to or derived from living organisms.
  • from 1942 Of food or food products, grown in an environment free from artificial agrichemicals, and possibly certified by a regulatory body.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.