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Where does the word "amnesty" come from? It comes from Greek amnestia, and was adopted directly into English (1570s).
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Where does the word "amnesty" come from? It comes from Greek amnestia, and was adopted directly into English (1570s).
Amnesty’s story begins in Greek: amnestia meant “forgetfulness, an official pardon.” Literally forgetfulness, from a- (without) and mnasthai (to remember). It reached English by 1570s as amnesty. Settled as the English word for an official pardon for past offenses. Today, amnesty means an official pardon for people convicted or accused of an offense.
- Stage 1 · Greek · ancient amnestia "forgetfulness, an official pardon", literally forgetfulness, from a- (without) and mnasthai (to remember).
- Stage 2 · English · 1570s amnesty "an official pardon for past offenses", settled as the English word for an official pardon for past offenses.