Etymology Map
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Force

3 stages from Late Latin to English.

Today it means strength or energy; coercion

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

1
Stage 1 of 3
fortia
Late Latin · ancient
"strength"
from 'fortis', strong
2
Stage 2 of 3
force
Old French · medieval
"strength"
used of armies as well as physical strength
3
Stage 3 of 3
force
English · 1300s
"strength"
physics defined 'force' precisely in Newton's era
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Read the full story

Force’s story begins in Late Latin: fortia meant “strength.” From 'fortis', strong. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as force. Used of armies as well as physical strength. It reached English by 1300s as force. Physics defined 'force' precisely in Newton's era. Today, force means strength or energy; coercion.