Definition of tepid

The English word "tepid" is derived from the Latin word "tepidus," meaning "warm to the touch but not hot." The Latin word in turn is a combination of two roots: "tem-" meaning "warm," and "-pidus," which corresponds to the English prefix "a-" or "un-" and denotes a lack or opposite of something. Thus, "tepidus" can be roughly translated as "not fully warm," implying a state of lukewarmness or mild temperature. The English word "tepid" first appeared in the early 17th century, and initially it had a more specific connotation, referring to water that was not quite hot but still warmer than body temperature. Over time, however, the meaning of the word has broadened to encompass any temperature that is not strongly cold or strongly hot, such as lukewarm water, room temperature air, or mild weather. The word is related to other English words that share the Latin root "pidus," such as the prefixes "apo-" and "a-," as well as words like "pituitary" and "putrefy" that contain the root "putes," which can be traced back to the same source in Latin. The etymological connection between these words serves as a reminder of the rich history and shared roots that underlie the English language.