deposit

Where does the word "deposit" come from? It comes from Latin de ponere, passing through Latin before entering English (1500s).

Deposit’s story begins in Latin: de ponere meant “to put down.” To put down, from de- (down) and ponere (to place). Within Latin, it grew into depositum by ancient. Something put down for safekeeping, from deponere. It reached English by 1500s as deposit. Settled as the English word for placing something for safekeeping, especially money. Today, deposit means to place money or valuables somewhere for safekeeping, or a sum paid as a first installment.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient de ponere "to put down", to put down, from de- (down) and ponere (to place).
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient depositum "something put down for safekeeping", something put down for safekeeping, from deponere.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1500s deposit "to place something, especially money, for safekeeping", settled as the English word for placing something for safekeeping, especially money.