vintage

This word is a great example of one originating in a particular context and then being applied to additional contexts with expanded meaning.

 Arising in the specific context of grapes and the resulting wine, it has been extended to apply to particular styles, periods, writers or artists and the qualities attached to those.

As a noun – the year in which wine was pressed from a harvest of grapes. You are likely to find the vintage printed on the label. It usually quotes the year, the district and the vineyard.

As an adjective – representative of the best or most typical e.g. vintage Spielberg.

The word also refers to a group of styles, objects and people of the same period e.g. Edwardian, Art Deco.

Arising from 15 century French vendage out of the Latin vindemia which literally means vin – ‘wine’ demere – ‘taking away from’.