Etymology Map
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Counterfeit

3 stages from Medieval Latin to English.

Today it means an imitation made to deceive

Where does the word "counterfeit" come from? It comes from Medieval Latin contrafacere, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
contrafacere
Medieval Latin · medieval
"to imitate"
'contra', against, plus 'facere', to make
2
Stage 2 of 3
contrefait
Old French · medieval
"imitated"
past participle of 'contrefaire'
3
Stage 3 of 3
counterfeit
English · 1300s
"imitated"
counterfeit money was a capital crime in England
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Read the full story

Counterfeit’s story begins in Medieval Latin: contrafacere meant “to imitate.” 'contra', against, plus 'facere', to make. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as contrefait. Past participle of 'contrefaire'. It reached English by 1300s as counterfeit. Counterfeit money was a capital crime in England. Today, counterfeit means an imitation made to deceive.