Semple
/ˈsɛm.pəl/noun
An obsolete spelling of “simple,” meaning uncomplicated or lacking sophistication.
Did you know?The ancient root behind “simple” also helped produce words connected with sameness and similarity, revealing a linguistic link between being “one” and being “alike.”
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*sem-
“One; together; the same”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἁπλός (haplós)
“Single; simple; uncomplicated”
Classical Latin
Latin
simplus
“Single; simple; not complex”
Old French
Old French
simple
“Simple; plain; sincere”
Middle English
Middle English
semple
“Simple; innocent; unsophisticated”
Modern English
English
semple
“An obsolete or dialectal spelling of “simple”; also found as a surname”