junta

Where does the word "junta" come from? It comes from Latin iungere, passing through Spanish before entering English (1600s-1800s).

Junta’s story begins in Latin: iungere meant “to join, unite.” Meaning "to join". By medieval, the word had taken hold in Spanish as junta. Came to mean a council or assembly. It reached English by 1600s-1800s as junta. Narrowed to mean a military or political ruling group. Today, junta means a military or political group that rules a country, especially after seizing power.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient iungere "to join, unite", meaning "to join".
2. Stage 2 · Spanish · medieval junta "a council, assembly", came to mean a council or assembly.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1600s-1800s junta "a group ruling a country, often after a coup", narrowed to mean a military or political ruling group.