change

Where does the word "change" come from? It comes from Latin cambiare, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

Change’s story begins in Latin: cambiare meant “to exchange.” A Latin word of Gaulish origin, used by merchants swapping goods. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as changier. Used for money-changers as well as alteration. It reached English by 1200s as change. 'small change' for coins dates from the 1700s. Today, change means to make or become different.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient cambiare "to exchange", a Latin word of Gaulish origin, used by merchants swapping goods.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval changier "to alter, exchange", used for money-changers as well as alteration.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1200s change "to exchange; to alter", 'small change' for coins dates from the 1700s.