denounce

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

Denounce’s story begins in Latin: denuntiare meant “to announce officially.” 'de-' plus 'nuntiare', to announce. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as denoncier. French revolutionaries used 'dénoncer' for reporting suspected traitors. It reached English by 1300s as denounce. The sense 'publicly condemn' dates from the 1600s. Today, denounce means to publicly declare to be wrong.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient denuntiare "to announce officially", 'de-' plus 'nuntiare', to announce.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval denoncier "to proclaim", French revolutionaries used 'dénoncer' for reporting suspected traitors.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s denounce "to proclaim", the sense 'publicly condemn' dates from the 1600s.