edict

Where does the word "edict" come from? It comes from Latin edictum, passing through Old French before entering English (1400s).

Edict’s story begins in Latin: edictum meant “proclamation.” 'e-', out, plus 'dicere', to say. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as edit. A royal decree. It reached English by 1400s as edict. The Edict of Nantes of 1598 granted religious toleration. Today, edict means an official order.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient edictum "proclamation", 'e-', out, plus 'dicere', to say.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval edit "decree", a royal decree.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1400s edict "decree", the Edict of Nantes of 1598 granted religious toleration.