Etymology Map
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Appease

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means to pacify by giving in to demands

Where does the word "appease" come from? It comes from Latin pax, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
pax
Latin · ancient
"peace"
the root of 'peace' and 'pacify'
2
Stage 2 of 3
apaisier
Old French · medieval
"to bring to peace"
'a-' plus 'pais', peace
3
Stage 3 of 3
appease
English · 1300s
"to pacify"
'appeasement' became a political term in the 1930s
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Read the full story

Appease’s story begins in Latin: pax meant “peace.” The root of 'peace' and 'pacify'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as apaisier. 'a-' plus 'pais', peace. It reached English by 1300s as appease. 'appeasement' became a political term in the 1930s. Today, appease means to pacify by giving in to demands.