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Where does the word "parole" come from? It comes from Late Latin parabola, passing through Old French before entering English (1610s).
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Where does the word "parole" come from? It comes from Late Latin parabola, passing through Old French before entering English (1610s).
Parole’s story begins in Late Latin: parabola meant “speech, comparison.” From Greek 'parabolē'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as parole. A prisoner of war's word of honour not to escape. It reached English by 1610s as parole. Criminal 'parole' dates from the 1900s in the US. Today, parole means the conditional release of a prisoner.
- Stage 1 · Late Latin · ancient parabola "speech, comparison", from Greek 'parabolē'.
- Stage 2 · Old French · medieval parole "word, promise", a prisoner of war's word of honour not to escape.
- Stage 3 · English · 1610s parole "word of honour", criminal 'parole' dates from the 1900s in the US.