debt

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

Debt’s story begins in Latin: habere meant “to have, to hold.” To have, to hold, combined with de- (away, from). Within Latin, it grew into debere by ancient. To owe, from de- and habere. From there it passed into Old French as dette by medieval. Carried into French for something owed to another. It reached English by 1300s as debt. Settled as the English word for a sum of money or obligation owed. Today, debt means a sum of money or other obligation that is owed to someone else.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient habere "to have, to hold", to have, to hold, combined with de- (away, from).
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient debere "to owe", to owe, from de- and habere.
3. Stage 3 · Old French · medieval dette "something owed to another", carried into French for something owed to another.
4. Stage 4 · English · 1300s debt "a sum of money or obligation owed to someone", settled as the English word for a sum of money or obligation owed.