danger

Where does the word "danger" come from? It comes from Vulgar Latin dominiarium, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

Danger’s story begins in Vulgar Latin: dominiarium meant “power of a lord.” From 'dominus', lord. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as dangier. Being in someone's power put one at risk. It reached English by 1200s as danger. The sense of 'peril' took over by the 1400s. Today, danger means the possibility of harm.

1. Stage 1 · Vulgar Latin · ancient dominiarium "power of a lord", from 'dominus', lord.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval dangier "power, dominion", being in someone's power put one at risk.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1200s danger "power; risk", the sense of 'peril' took over by the 1400s.