damning
/ˈdæm.nɪŋ/
adjective
Origin
Latin
damnare — to condemn, inflict loss upon
Overview
Meaning Now
- strongly suggesting guilt or error; incriminating.
- causing or likely to cause severe criticism or condemnation.
Literal older meaning
condemning to eternal punishment
Language path
Latin → Old French → Middle English → English
Earliest form
damnynge
Earliest period
14th century
Journey
The word stems from the Latin 'damnum', meaning 'loss' or 'penalty'. In a Christian theological context, 'damning' originally referred specifically to the act of being condemned to hell. Over time, it evolved into a secular descriptor for evidence or actions that condemn a person's reputation.
Evolution
- Latin
damnare
“to judge, condemn”
- Old French
damner
“to condemn, sentence”
- Middle English
damnen
“to consign to hell; to judge”
- Early Modern English
damning
“incurring damnation”
Transition from theological judgment to general disapproval.
Connections
Word parts
damn
root
condemn
-ing
suffix
forming a participial adjective
Related across languages
French
damner
to condemn
Spanish
dañar
to harm/damage
Related words
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External references use DefinedTerm semantics.