franchise

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

Franchise’s story begins in Old French: franc meant “free.” Free, the root behind a special right or privilege granted to someone. Within Old French, it grew into franchise by medieval. Settled in French for a special legal privilege or exemption. It reached English by 1300s as franchise. Narrowed to mean a business's authorization to sell a company's goods. Today, franchise means authorization granted to sell a company's goods or operate under its name.

1. Stage 1 · Old French · medieval franc "free", free, the root behind a special right or privilege granted to someone.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval franchise "a special legal privilege", settled in French for a special legal privilege or exemption.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s franchise "authorization to operate a business under a company's name", narrowed to mean a business's authorization to sell a company's goods.