Etymology Map
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Exact

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means precise; to demand

Where does the word "exact" come from? It comes from Latin exigere, passing through Latin before entering English (1530s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
exigere
Latin · ancient
"to drive out, demand"
'ex-' plus 'agere', to drive
2
Stage 2 of 3
exactus
Latin · ancient
"precisely weighed"
past participle of 'exigere', weighed out exactly
3
Stage 3 of 3
exact
English · 1530s
"precise"
to 'exact' revenge keeps the 'demand' sense
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Read the full story

Exact’s story begins in Latin: exigere meant “to drive out, demand.” 'ex-' plus 'agere', to drive. Within Latin, it grew into exactus by ancient. Past participle of 'exigere', weighed out exactly. It reached English by 1530s as exact. To 'exact' revenge keeps the 'demand' sense. Today, exact means precise; to demand.