dynasty

Where does the word "dynasty" come from? It comes from Greek dynasteia, passing through Late Latin before entering English (1400s).

Dynasty’s story begins in Greek: dynasteia meant “power, lordship.” Greek, from 'dynasthai', to be able, the root of 'dynamic'. By ancient, the word had taken hold in Late Latin as dynastia. Used of Egyptian ruling houses in the histories of Manetho. It reached English by 1400s as dynasty. Chinese dynasties made the word familiar in the West. Today, dynasty means a line of hereditary rulers.

1. Stage 1 · Greek · ancient dynasteia "power, lordship", Greek, from 'dynasthai', to be able, the root of 'dynamic'.
2. Stage 2 · Late Latin · ancient dynastia "dynasty", used of Egyptian ruling houses in the histories of Manetho.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1400s dynasty "rule", Chinese dynasties made the word familiar in the West.