How did intimus "inmost, innermost, deepest" (adj.) semantically shift to intimare "make known, announce, impress" ?
These meanings are polar opposites! If something is inmost, then it's private — and you would not "make known" or "announce" a secret!
These meanings are polar opposites! If something is inmost, then it's private — and you would not "make known" or "announce" a secret!
intimate (adj.) [on Etymonline]
1630s, "closely acquainted, very familiar," also "inmost, intrinsic,"
from Late Latin intimatus, past participle of intimare "make known, announce, impress,"
from Latin intimus "inmost, innermost, deepest" (adj.), also used figuratively, of affections, feelings, as a noun, "close friend;" superlative of in "in"
(from PIE root *en "in")
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