Etymology Map
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Pain

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means physical or mental suffering

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

1
Stage 1 of 3
poena
Latin · ancient
"penalty"
from Greek 'poinē', blood-money
2
Stage 2 of 3
peine
Old French · medieval
"punishment, suffering"
the root of 'penal' and 'punish'
3
Stage 3 of 3
pain
English · 1200s
"punishment; suffering"
'pains' as effort, 'at pains', dates from the 1500s
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Read the full story

Pain’s story begins in Latin: poena meant “penalty.” From Greek 'poinē', blood-money. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as peine. The root of 'penal' and 'punish'. It reached English by 1200s as pain. 'pains' as effort, 'at pains', dates from the 1500s. Today, pain means physical or mental suffering.