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Issue

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means an important topic; an edition of a publication

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

exire→issue→issue

Latin · ancient

'ex-' plus 'ire', to go, also the root of 'exit'

Old French · medieval

"exit, outcome"

a way out, or what comes out of something

English · 1300s

"outflow; outcome"

'issue' as a matter in dispute arose in law

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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.