early 15c., from Old French éminent "prominent" (13c.) or directly from Latin eminentem (nominative eminens) "standing out, projecting, prominent, high," figuratively "distinguished, distinctive," present participle of eminere "stand out, project; be prominent, be conspicuous," from assimilated form of ex- "out" (see ex-) + minere, related to mons "hill" (see mount, n.). Related: Eminently. Legal eminent domain recorded from 1738.