Etymology Map
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Contest

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a competition; to argue against

Where does the word "contest" come from? It comes from Latin contestari, passing through Old French before entering English (1600s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
contestari
Latin · ancient
"to call to witness"
'com-' plus 'testis', witness
2
Stage 2 of 3
contester
Old French · medieval
"to dispute"
from Latin 'testis', witness, the root of 'testify' and 'protest'
3
Stage 3 of 3
contest
English · 1600s
"to dispute"
the noun for a competition dates from the 1640s
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Read the full story

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.