issue

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

Issue’s story begins in Latin: exire meant “to go out.” 'ex-' plus 'ire', to go, also the root of 'exit'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as issue. A way out, or what comes out of something. It reached English by 1300s as issue. 'issue' as a matter in dispute arose in law. Today, issue means an important topic; an edition of a publication.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient exire "to go out", 'ex-' plus 'ire', to go, also the root of 'exit'.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval issue "exit, outcome", a way out, or what comes out of something.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s issue "outflow; outcome", 'issue' as a matter in dispute arose in law.