deprive

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

Deprive’s story begins in Medieval Latin: deprivare meant “to remove from office.” 'de-' plus 'privare', to rob. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as depriver. Used of removing clergy from office. It reached English by 1300s as deprive. 'sleep deprivation' dates from the 1900s. Today, deprive means to deny someone something.

1. Stage 1 · Medieval Latin · medieval deprivare "to remove from office", 'de-' plus 'privare', to rob.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval depriver "to deprive", used of removing clergy from office.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s deprive "to remove from office", 'sleep deprivation' dates from the 1900s.