forte
UK[fɔːt]US[fɔːrt]
n
A thing at which someone excels; a strong point or special talent.
n
The part of a sword blade from the hilt to the middle, which is the strongest.
Etymology
The word 'forte' entered English in the 17th century from French, where it was used in fencing terminology to denote the strong part of a sword blade. Its ultimate source is the Latin adjective 'fortis', meaning 'strong, brave, powerful'. This Latin root is also the ancestor of English words like 'fort', 'fortify', and 'fortitude'. The semantic evolution from the literal strength of a sword to a metaphorical area in which a person is strong or excels is a clear and logical extension, solidifying the word's abstract meaning in modern usage.
Analysis
The word 'forte' is a loanword from French, itself derived from the Latin adjective 'fortis', meaning 'strong'. It functions as a simplex noun in English.
Examples
Her real forte is in strategic planning and negotiation.
While he is a competent writer, public speaking is not his forte.
The musician played the difficult passage with ease, showcasing his true forte.