desert

Where does the word "desert" come from? It comes from Late Latin desertum, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

Desert’s story begins in Late Latin: desertum meant “abandoned place.” From 'deserere', to abandon. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as desert. A wilderness abandoned by people. It reached English by 1200s as desert. 'deserts' as what one deserves comes from a different word. Today, desert means a barren, dry area of land.

1. Stage 1 · Late Latin · ancient desertum "abandoned place", from 'deserere', to abandon.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval desert "wasteland", a wilderness abandoned by people.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1200s desert "wilderness", 'deserts' as what one deserves comes from a different word.