diligence的词源

英文词源

diligence (n.): mid-14c., from Old French diligence "attention, care; haste, speed," from Latin diligentia "attentiveness, carefulness," from diligentem (nominative diligens) "attentive, assiduous, careful," originally present participle of diligere "single out, value highly, esteem, prize, love; aspire to, be content with, appreciate," originally "to pick out, select," from dis- "apart" (see dis-) + legere "choose, gather" (see lecture (n.)).

Sense evolved from "love" through "attentiveness" to "carefulness" to "steady effort." From the secondary French sense comes the old useage of diligence for "public stage coach" (1742; dilly for short), from a French shortening of carrosse de diligence.

di-, 分开，散开，来自dis-变体。-lig, 选择，词源同collect, eligible. 即选出，甄选，引申为勤勉，勤奋。

该词的英语词源请访问趣词词源英文版：diligence 词源，diligence 含义。