'negligible' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'negligere,' where 'neg-' meant 'not' and 'legere' meant 'to pick up or choose.'

'negligere' transformed into the French word 'négliger,' and eventually became the modern English word 'negligible' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'to not choose or pick up,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'so small or unimportant as to be not worth considering.'