empire

Where does the word "empire" come from? It comes from Latin imperium, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

Empire’s story begins in Latin: imperium meant “supreme power, command.” Supreme power, command, rule. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as empire. Carried into French for a territory ruled by a supreme authority. It reached English by 1300s as empire. Settled as the English word for a group of territories under one supreme ruler. Today, empire means a group of states or territories under the control of a single supreme authority.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient imperium "supreme power, command", supreme power, command, rule.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval empire "a territory ruled by a supreme authority", carried into French for a territory ruled by a supreme authority.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s empire "a group of territories under one supreme authority", settled as the English word for a group of territories under one supreme ruler.