monopoly

Where does the word "monopoly" come from? It comes from Greek monopolion, and was adopted directly into English (1530s).

Monopoly’s story begins in Greek: monopolion meant “the sole right to sell.” Literally sole selling, from monos (alone) and polein (to sell). It reached English by 1530s as monopoly. Settled as the English word for exclusive control of a market. Today, monopoly means exclusive control of the trade or supply of a product or service.

1. Stage 1 · Greek · ancient monopolion "the sole right to sell", literally sole selling, from monos (alone) and polein (to sell).
2. Stage 2 · English · 1530s monopoly "exclusive control of a market by a single seller", settled as the English word for exclusive control of a market.