de facto

Where does the word "de facto" come from? It comes from Latin de facto, and was adopted directly into English (1600s).

De facto’s story begins in Latin: de facto meant “from the fact, in practice.” Literally from the fact, describing something existing in practice, regardless of official status. It reached English by 1600s as de facto. Latin 'from the fact', contrasted with 'de jure', by law. Today, de facto means existing in fact or practice, regardless of official recognition.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · medieval de facto "from the fact, in practice", literally from the fact, describing something existing in practice, regardless of official status.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1600s de facto "existing in practice, whether or not officially recognized", Latin 'from the fact', contrasted with 'de jure', by law.