nation

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

Nation’s story begins in Latin: nasci meant “to be born.” The root of 'native', 'nature' and 'natal'. Within Latin, it grew into natio by ancient. Birth, race, a people bound by common origin, from nasci (to be born). From there it passed into Old French as nacion by medieval. Carried into French for a people united under one government. It reached English by 1300s as nation. Settled as the English word for a large body of people under one government. Today, nation means a large body of people united by common descent, history, or government.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient nasci "to be born", the root of 'native', 'nature' and 'natal'.
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient natio "birth, a people bound by common origin", birth, race, a people bound by common origin, from nasci (to be born).
3. Stage 3 · Old French · medieval nacion "a people united under one government", carried into French for a people united under one government.
4. Stage 4 · English · 1300s nation "a large body of people united under one government", settled as the English word for a large body of people under one government.