size

size · noun, verb¹

1. Proto-Indo-European · derived from*sed-
2. Latin · derived fromassidēre
3. Old French · derived fromcise
4. Middle English · inherited fromsyse
5. English todaysize

Attested since the 14th century, originally meant a “law or regulation that determines the amount to be paid”, from Middle English syse, sise (“regulation, control, limit”), from Old French cise, sise, aphetism of assise (“assize”), from the verb asseoir (“to sit down”), from Latin assidēre, composed of ad- (“to, towards, at”) + sedeō (“sit; settle down”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *sed-. Displaced native Old English miċelnes (literally “bigness”).

size · noun, verb²

1. Old Italian · derived fromsisa“a glue used by painters”
2. Middle English · inherited fromsyse
3. English todaysize

From Middle English syse, of unclear origin; related to Old Italian sisa (“a glue used by painters”), perhaps ultimately related to size / syse (“amount”), or perhaps shortened from assisa, from assiso (“to make to sit, to seat, to place”)

Words from the same roots

First known use, by meaning

• from 15th c. The dimensions or magnitude of a thing; how big something is.
• from 16th c. A specific set of dimensions for a manufactured article, especially clothing.
• from 20th c. The number of edges in a graph.
• from 14th c. An assize.
• 15th c. A regulation, piece of ordinance.
• 14th–18th c. A regulation determining the amount of money paid in fees, taxes etc.
• 15th–17th c. A fixed standard for the magnitude, quality, quantity etc. of goods, especially food and drink.