Etymology
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splendid (adj.)

1620s, "marked by grandeur," probably a shortening of earlier splendidious (early 15c.), from Latin splendidus "bright, shining, glittering; sumptuous, gorgeous, grand; illustrious, distinguished, noble; showy, fine, specious," from splendere "be bright, shine, gleam, glisten," from PIE *splnd- "to be manifest" (source also of Lithuanian splendžiu "I shine," Middle Irish lainn "bright"). An earlier form was splendent (late 15c.). From 1640s as "brilliant, dazzling;" 1640s as "conspicuous, illustrious; very fine, excellent." Ironic use (as in splendid isolation, 1843) is attested from 17c.

Entries linking to splendid

resplendent (adj.)

mid-15c., of color, "shining brilliantly, splendid, very bright," from Old French resplendant and directly from Latin resplendentem (nominative resplendens) "brilliant, radiant," present participle of resplendere "to glitter, shine brightly," from re-, here perhaps an intensive prefix, + splendere "to shine, be splendid" (see splendid). In 16c.-17c. often resplendant. Related: Resplendently.

splendidly (adv.)

1650s, from splendid + -ly (2).

splendor (n.)

mid-15c., splendoure, "radiance, brilliance, source of magnificence or excellence," from Old French esplendour, Anglo-French esplendour (Old French splendeur, splendor, 12c.) and directly from Latin splendor "brilliance, brightness," from splendere "be bright, shine" (see splendid).

updated on January 29, 2018

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Dictionary entries near splendid

splashy

splat

splatter

splay

spleen

splendid

splendidly

splendiferous

splendor

splendorous

splendour

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