Etymology Map
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Decide

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means to make a choice

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

1
Stage 1 of 3
decidere
Latin · ancient
"to cut off"
'de-', off, plus 'caedere', to cut: to cut off debate
2
Stage 2 of 3
decider
Old French · medieval
"to decide"
a legal term for settling a dispute
3
Stage 3 of 3
decide
English · 1300s
"to settle"
'decisive' followed
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Read the full story

Decide’s story begins in Latin: decidere meant “to cut off.” 'de-', off, plus 'caedere', to cut: to cut off debate. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as decider. A legal term for settling a dispute. It reached English by 1300s as decide. 'decisive' followed. Today, decide means to make a choice.