Etymology Map
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Exploit

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a daring feat; to use unfairly

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

1
Stage 1 of 3
explicitum
Latin · ancient
"unfolded"
from 'explicare', to unfold
2
Stage 2 of 3
esploit
Old French · medieval
"achievement"
a successful deed
3
Stage 3 of 3
exploit
English · 1300s
"achievement"
the sense 'use unfairly' dates from the 1800s
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Read the full story

Exploit’s story begins in Latin: explicitum meant “unfolded.” From 'explicare', to unfold. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as esploit. A successful deed. It reached English by 1300s as exploit. The sense 'use unfairly' dates from the 1800s. Today, exploit means a daring feat; to use unfairly.