encore

The word 'encore' entered English in the early 18th century from the French word 'encore', meaning "again, still, yet." The French term itself is a compound, originating from the Vulgar Latin phrase 'in hanc horam', meaning "until this hour" or "still." This phrase was reanalyzed and shortened in Old French to 'encore'. The literal components, 'en' (in) and 'cor' (heart), reflect a metaphorical evolution where the call from the audience comes "from the heart" or is for the "heart" (the core) of the performance to be repeated. Thus, a demand from the audience's core (heart) for a return to the performance's core essence transformed into the modern theatrical call for a repetition.

Structure: en (in) + core (heart) en: A prefix of Latin origin (via French), from Latin 'in-', meaning "in, into, on." In this context, it functions as an intensifier. core: A root of Latin origin, from Latin 'cor' (genitive 'cordis'), meaning "heart." Here, it is used metaphorically to mean the central, most vital part, akin to the heart of the matter or performance.