judgment

Where does the word "judgment" come from? It comes from Latin iudicare, passing through Latin and Old French before entering English (1200s).

Judgment’s story begins in Latin: iudicare meant “to judge.” To judge, from ius (law) and dicere (to say). Within Latin, it grew into iudicium by ancient. A judgment, a legal decision, from iudicare. From there it passed into Old French as jugement by medieval. Carried into French for a formal decision or opinion. It reached English by 1200s as judgment. Settled as the English word for a formal decision, or the ability to make sound decisions. Today, judgment means a formal decision made by a court, or the ability to make wise decisions.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient iudicare "to judge", to judge, from ius (law) and dicere (to say).
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient iudicium "a judgment, a legal decision", a judgment, a legal decision, from iudicare.
3. Stage 3 · Old French · medieval jugement "a formal decision or opinion", carried into French for a formal decision or opinion.
4. Stage 4 · English · 1200s judgment "a formal decision, or the ability to make sound decisions", settled as the English word for a formal decision, or the ability to make sound decisions.