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Dynasty

3 stages from Greek to English.

Today it means a line of hereditary rulers

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

dynasteia→dynastia→dynasty

Greek · ancient

"power, lordship"

Greek, from 'dynasthai', to be able, the root of 'dynamic'

Late Latin · ancient

used of Egyptian ruling houses in the histories of Manetho

English · 1400s

Chinese dynasties made the word familiar in the West

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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.