'demigod' originates from Middle English, formed by combining Old French 'demi' (meaning 'half') and Old English 'god' (meaning 'god, deity').

'demigod' developed from Old French 'demi' (from Latin 'dimidius', 'half') plus Old English 'god'; this compound in Middle English eventually became the modern English word 'demigod'.

Initially it meant 'half-god' (partly divine); over time it retained the mythological sense but also developed a figurative meaning of someone treated as having exceptional or godlike abilities.