Etymology Map
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Arbiter

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a person who settles a dispute

Where does the word "arbiter" come from? It comes from Latin arbiter, adopted directly into English (1400s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
arbiter
Latin · ancient
"judge, witness"
possibly 'ad-' plus 'baetere', to go: one who goes to see
2
Stage 2 of 2
arbiter
English · 1400s
"judge"
'arbiter of taste' dates from the 1700s
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Read the full story

Arbiter’s story begins in Latin: arbiter meant “judge, witness.” Possibly 'ad-' plus 'baetere', to go: one who goes to see. It reached English by 1400s as arbiter. 'arbiter of taste' dates from the 1700s. Today, arbiter means a person who settles a dispute.