persons
/ˈpɜːrsənz/
noun
Origin
Latin
persona — theatrical mask, character in a play, role, person
Overview
Meaning Now
- plural of person; individuals, human beings.
- individuals considered as a distinct group or set.
Language path
Latin → Old French → Middle English → English
Earliest form
persone
Earliest period
13th century
Journey
The term derives from the Latin 'persona', which originally referred to the masks worn by actors in Roman theater to represent specific characters. Over time, the meaning expanded from the mask itself to the role played, then to the individual occupying a legal or social status, and finally to any human being.
Evolution
- Latin
persona
“a mask used by an actor”
Original sense related to the theater.
- Old French
persone
“human being”
- Middle English
persone
“individual”
- English
persons
“plural individuals”
Connections
Word parts
person
root
individual human
-s
ending
plural marker
Related across languages
French
personne
person / nobody
Italian
persona
person
Spanish
persona
person
Explore next
Related to persons
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.