Etymology Map
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Inflict

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means to cause something unpleasant

Where does the word "inflict" come from? It comes from Latin infligere, adopted directly into English (1560s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
infligere
Latin · ancient
"to strike on"
'in-' plus 'fligere', to strike
2
Stage 2 of 2
inflict
English · 1560s
"to strike"
'self-inflicted' dates from the 1700s
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Inflict’s story begins in Latin: infligere meant “to strike on.” 'in-' plus 'fligere', to strike. It reached English by 1560s as inflict. 'self-inflicted' dates from the 1700s. Today, inflict means to cause something unpleasant.