embargo

Where does the word "embargo" come from? It comes from Spanish embargar, passing through Spanish before entering English (1600s).

Embargo’s story begins in Spanish: embargar meant “to seize, restrain.” Meaning "to seize" or "to restrain". Within Spanish, it grew into embargo by 1500s. Came to mean an official order restraining trade. It reached English by 1600s as embargo. Jefferson's Embargo Act of 1807 made the word familiar in American politics. Today, embargo means an official ban on trade or other commercial activity with a particular country.

1. Stage 1 · Spanish · medieval embargar "to seize, restrain", meaning "to seize" or "to restrain".
2. Stage 2 · Spanish · 1500s embargo "a trade restriction", came to mean an official order restraining trade.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1600s embargo "an official ban on trade", Jefferson's Embargo Act of 1807 made the word familiar in American politics.