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Where does the word "contest" come from? It comes from Latin contestari, passing through Old French before entering English (1600s).
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Where does the word "contest" come from? It comes from Latin contestari, passing through Old French before entering English (1600s).
Contest’s story begins in Latin: contestari meant “to call to witness.” 'com-' plus 'testis', witness. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as contester. From Latin 'testis', witness, the root of 'testify' and 'protest'. It reached English by 1600s as contest. The noun for a competition dates from the 1640s. Today, contest means a competition; to argue against.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient contestari "to call to witness", 'com-' plus 'testis', witness.
- Stage 2 · Old French · medieval contester "to dispute", from Latin 'testis', witness, the root of 'testify' and 'protest'.
- Stage 3 · English · 1600s contest "to dispute", the noun for a competition dates from the 1640s.