Senator
/ˈsɛn.ə.tər/noun
A member of a senate, especially a legislative body in a government.
Did you know?In ancient Rome, the senate was originally the council of elder men, from Latin senex, and its prestige came from age itself being treated as a form of authority and sacred social power.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*sen-
“to be old”
Latin
Latin
senex
“old man; elder”
Latin
Latin
senātus
“council of elders; senate”
Latin
Latin
senātor
“member of the senate; elder statesman”
Middle English
English
senatour
“member of a legislative council”
Modern English
English
senator
“member of a senate”
Explore more surprising origins