found

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

Found’s story begins in Latin: fundus meant “bottom, base.” Bottom, base, giving rise to fundare (to lay a foundation). By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as fonder. Carried into French for establishing something on a solid base. It reached English by 1300s as found. Settled as the English word for establishing an organization or institution. Today, found means to establish or set up an organization, institution, or settlement.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient fundus "bottom, base", bottom, base, giving rise to fundare (to lay a foundation).
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval fonder "to establish something on a solid base", carried into French for establishing something on a solid base.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s found "to establish an organization or institution", settled as the English word for establishing an organization or institution.