Etymology Map
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Consortium

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means an association of companies or organizations

Where does the word "consortium" come from? It comes from Latin consortium, adopted directly into English (1820s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
consortium
Latin · ancient
"partnership"
partnership, from 'consors', one who shares the same lot or fate
2
Stage 2 of 2
consortium
English · 1820s
"association of companies"
first a legal term for the partnership of marriage; the business sense spread in the 1900s
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Read the full story

Consortium’s story begins in Latin: consortium meant “partnership.” Partnership, from 'consors', one who shares the same lot or fate. It reached English by 1820s as consortium. First a legal term for the partnership of marriage; the business sense spread in the 1900s. Today, consortium means an association of companies or organizations.