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Where does the word "confiscate" come from? It comes from Latin confiscare, and was adopted directly into English (1550s).
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Where does the word "confiscate" come from? It comes from Latin confiscare, and was adopted directly into English (1550s).
Confiscate’s story begins in Latin: confiscare meant “to seize for the treasury.” 'com-' plus 'fiscus', treasury, the root of 'fiscal'. It reached English by 1550s as confiscate. 'fiscus' was a basket for money. Today, confiscate means to take possession of by authority.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient confiscare "to seize for the treasury", 'com-' plus 'fiscus', treasury, the root of 'fiscal'.
- Stage 2 · English · 1550s confiscate "to seize", 'fiscus' was a basket for money.