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Where does the word "condemn" come from? It comes from Latin condemnare, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).
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Where does the word "condemn" come from? It comes from Latin condemnare, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).
Condemn’s story begins in Latin: condemnare meant “to sentence.” 'com-' plus 'damnare', to condemn, the root of 'damn'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as condemner. The root of 'damn' and 'damage'. It reached English by 1300s as condemn. Condemned buildings date from the 1700s. Today, condemn means to express disapproval of; to sentence.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient condemnare "to sentence", 'com-' plus 'damnare', to condemn, the root of 'damn'.
- Stage 2 · Old French · medieval condemner "to condemn", the root of 'damn' and 'damage'.
- Stage 3 · English · 1300s condemn "to sentence", condemned buildings date from the 1700s.