esteem

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

Esteem’s story begins in Latin: aestimare meant “to value, appraise.” The same root as 'estimate'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as estimer. A monetary valuation before a moral one. It reached English by 1400s as esteem. 'self-esteem' dates from the 1650s. Today, esteem means respect and admiration.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient aestimare "to value, appraise", the same root as 'estimate'.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval estimer "to value", a monetary valuation before a moral one.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1400s esteem "to value", 'self-esteem' dates from the 1650s.