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Where does the word "corrupt" come from? It comes from Latin corrumpere, and was adopted directly into English (1300s).
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Where does the word "corrupt" come from? It comes from Latin corrumpere, and was adopted directly into English (1300s).
Corrupt’s story begins in Latin: corrumpere meant “to spoil thoroughly.” To break together, to spoil, from com- (thoroughly) and rumpere (to break). It reached English by 1300s as corrupt. Settled as the English word for dishonest or morally spoiled behavior. Today, corrupt means dishonest or fraudulent conduct, especially by those in positions of power.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient corrumpere "to spoil thoroughly", to break together, to spoil, from com- (thoroughly) and rumpere (to break).
- Stage 2 · English · 1300s corrupt "dishonest behavior, especially by those in power", settled as the English word for dishonest or morally spoiled behavior.