Etymology Map
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Bribe

3 stages from Medieval Latin to English.

Today it means money given to influence someone dishonestly

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

1
Stage 1 of 3
briba
Medieval Latin · medieval
"piece of bread"
a Medieval Latin word for scraps given to beggars
2
Stage 2 of 3
bribe
Old French · medieval
"morsel given to a beggar"
alms or scraps
3
Stage 3 of 3
bribe
English · 1300s
"theft; alms"
the sense 'corrupt payment' dates from the 1500s
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Read the full story

Bribe’s story begins in Medieval Latin: briba meant “piece of bread.” A Medieval Latin word for scraps given to beggars. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as bribe. Alms or scraps. It reached English by 1300s as bribe. The sense 'corrupt payment' dates from the 1500s. Today, bribe means money given to influence someone dishonestly.