'patriotic' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'patriōtēs' (via Latin 'patriota' and French 'patriote'), where 'patr-' / 'patri-' meant 'father' or 'fatherland'.

'patriōtēs' (Greek, meaning 'fellow-countryman') became Latin 'patriota', which passed into Old French as 'patriote' and then into English as 'patriot'; the adjective 'patriotic' and its adverb 'patriotically' developed from this noun in later English usage.

Initially it referred to a 'fellow-countryman' or 'member of the same homeland,' but over time it evolved to mean 'showing love or devotion to one's country' and actions done in that spirit.