Etymology Map
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Allocate

2 stages from Medieval Latin to English.

Today it means to distribute for a purpose

Where does the word "allocate" come from? It comes from Medieval Latin allocare, adopted directly into English (1630s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
allocare
Medieval Latin · medieval
"to place"
'ad-' plus 'locare', to place, from 'locus'
2
Stage 2 of 2
allocate
English · 1630s
"to assign"
'allow' shares part of its history with this word
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Read the full story

Allocate’s story begins in Medieval Latin: allocare meant “to place.” 'ad-' plus 'locare', to place, from 'locus'. It reached English by 1630s as allocate. 'allow' shares part of its history with this word. Today, allocate means to distribute for a purpose.