Etymology Map
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Debate

3 stages from Vulgar Latin to English.

Today it means a formal discussion of opposing views

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

1
Stage 1 of 3
battuere
Vulgar Latin · ancient
"to beat"
the root of 'battle' and 'batter'
2
Stage 2 of 3
debatre
Old French · medieval
"to fight"
'de-' plus 'batre', to beat down
3
Stage 3 of 3
debate
English · 1300s
"to fight; to argue"
parliamentary debates made it a word for formal argument
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Read the full story

Debate’s story begins in Vulgar Latin: battuere meant “to beat.” The root of 'battle' and 'batter'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as debatre. 'de-' plus 'batre', to beat down. It reached English by 1300s as debate. Parliamentary debates made it a word for formal argument. Today, debate means a formal discussion of opposing views.