senior

The story

1. Latin · derived fromsenior“older”
2. Middle English · inherited fromsenior
3. English todaysenior

From Middle English senior, from Latin senior (“older”), comparative form of senex (“old”); see senate. Doublet of seigneur, seignior, senhor, señor, senyor, signore, sir, and sire.

Words from the same roots

First known use, by meaning

• from 15th c. Someone older than someone else (with possessive).
• from 14th c. Someone seen as deserving respect or reverence because of their age.
• 14th–16th c. An elder or presbyter in the early Church.
• from 17th c. A final-year student at a high school or university; a finalist.