detrimental
/ˌdetrɪˈmentəl/
adjective
Origin
Latin
detrimentum — a wearing away, loss, or damage
Overview
Meaning Now
- tending to cause harm; damaging
- harmful to a particular person, thing, or situation
Literal older meaning
tending to destroy or diminish
Language path
Latin → Middle French → English
Earliest form
detrimental
Earliest period
Late Middle English
Journey
The word is rooted in the physical concept of something being 'worn down' or 'rubbed away' (deterioration), which later transitioned into the abstract concept of causing harm or loss.
Evolution
- Latin
detrimentum
“a diminishing, loss, or harm”
Derived from 'deterere' (to wear away/rub down).
- Middle French
détriment
“loss or damage”
- English
detrimental
“causing harm or damage”
Adopted into English with the suffix -al.
Connections
Word parts
de-
prefix
down or away
triment
root
diminishment or wear
-al
suffix
relating to
Related across languages
French
détriment
loss
Italian
detrimento
damage
Explore next
Related to detrimental
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.