Origin: 1825–35; < F, n. use of personnel (adj.) personal< LL persōnāle, neut. of persōnālis; r. personal (n.), Anglicized form of F personnel; cf. G Personal, var. of Personale, It personale. See matériel
Usage note: 2.Some usage guides object to the use of personnel as a plural. However, this use is well established and standard in all varieties of speech and writing. The use of personnel with a preceding number is largely restricted to business and government communications: Six personnel were transferred.
The body of persons employed by or active in an organization, business, or service.
(used with a pl. verb) Persons.
An administrative division of an organization concerned with the body of persons employed by or active in it and often acting as a liaison between different departments.
[French, from Old French, personal, from Latin persōnālis; see personality.]