'unprecedented' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'praecedere,' where 'prae-' meant 'before' and 'cedere' meant 'to go.'

'praecedere' transformed into the French word 'précédent,' and eventually became the modern English word 'precedent' through Middle English. The prefix 'un-' was added to form 'unprecedented.'

Initially, it meant 'without a previous example,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.