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Deficit

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means an amount by which something falls short

Where does the word "deficit" come from? It comes from Latin deficit, adopted directly into English (1780s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
deficit
Latin · ancient
"it is lacking"
third person singular of 'deficere', to fail
2
Stage 2 of 2
deficit
English · 1780s
"shortfall"
first used in French accounting
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Deficit’s story begins in Latin: deficit meant “it is lacking.” Third person singular of 'deficere', to fail. It reached English by 1780s as deficit. First used in French accounting. Today, deficit means an amount by which something falls short.