Etymology Map
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Esteem

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means respect and admiration

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

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

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.