Personne
/pɜːˈsɒn/noun
A person or individual, chiefly as a rare or archaic English form influenced by French.
Did you know?The deeper ancestor, Latin persona, referred to a theatrical mask or character, though its ultimate origin is uncertain and may involve Etruscan.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Etruscan
Etruscan
phersu
“A possible early source connected with a masked theatrical figure; the relationship is debated.”
Classical Latin
Latin
persona
“A theatrical mask, dramatic character, or the role represented by an actor.”
Late Latin
Latin
persona
“An individual human being, especially in legal or theological language.”
Old French
Old French
persone
“A person, individual, or human being.”
Modern French
French
personne
“A person; with negation, personne can mean “nobody.””
Modern English
English
personne
“A rare or archaic English form meaning a person, derived through French influence.”