- simplification (n.)
- 1680s, from Middle French simplification "act or process of simplifying," from simplifier (see simplify).
- simplify (v.)
- 1650s, from French simplifier "to make simpler" (15c.), from Medieval Latin simplificare "to simplify," from Latin simplex "simple" (see simplex) + root of facere "to make" (see factitious). Meaning "to make easier to do" is from 1759. Related: Simplified; simplifying.