decree

Where does the word "decree" come from? It comes from Latin cernere, passing through Latin before entering English (1300s).

Decree’s story begins in Latin: cernere meant “to sift, to distinguish.” To sift, to distinguish, combined with de- (thoroughly). Within Latin, it grew into decernere by ancient. To decide, to determine, from de- and cernere. By ancient, Latin speakers had reshaped it into decretum. A thing decided, an official order, from decernere. It reached English by 1300s as decree. Settled as the English word for an official order issued by an authority. Today, decree means an official order or decision issued by a legal or religious authority.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient cernere "to sift, to distinguish", to sift, to distinguish, combined with de- (thoroughly).
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient decernere "to decide, to determine", to decide, to determine, from de- and cernere.
3. Stage 3 · Latin · ancient decretum "a thing decided, an official order", a thing decided, an official order, from decernere.
4. Stage 4 · English · 1300s decree "an official order issued by an authority", settled as the English word for an official order issued by an authority.