commodity

Where does the word "commodity" come from? It comes from Latin commoditas, passing through Old French before entering English (1400s).

Commodity’s story begins in Latin: commoditas meant “convenience, suitability.” Convenience, suitability, from commodus (fitting, convenient). By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as commodite. Carried into French for a useful or beneficial thing. It reached English by 1400s as commodity. Narrowed to mean a raw material or product bought and sold. Today, commodity means a raw material or primary agricultural product that can be bought and sold.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient commoditas "convenience, suitability", convenience, suitability, from commodus (fitting, convenient).
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval commodite "a useful or beneficial thing", carried into French for a useful or beneficial thing.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1400s commodity "a raw material or primary product bought and sold", narrowed to mean a raw material or product bought and sold.