The word 'err' originally came from Latin as 'errare'

'Err' is a word borrowed from Latin 'errare'. The word entered the English language some time around the 14th century.

err [verb] [14th century]

• stray
• to make a mistake
• to violate an accepted standard of conduct

Meaning: stray; to make a mistake err ed in his calculations err ed on the side of caution; to violate an accepted standard of conduct.

Etymology: Middle English; from Anglo-French errer; from Latin errare to wander; err; akin to Old English ierre wandering; perverse; Gothic airzeis deceived.

Topics: Linguistics.

Origin: From Latin to English.

See 'err' on the Loan Words Map

See more loan words from Latin.

See more loan words from 1300s.