Etymology Map
Back to all words

Pauper

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a very poor person

Where does the word "pauper" come from? It comes from Latin pauper, adopted directly into English (1510s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
pauper
Latin · ancient
"poor"
poor; the root of 'poverty' and 'poor'
2
Stage 2 of 2
pauper
English · 1510s
"poor person"
from the legal phrase 'in forma pauperis', letting the poor sue without paying court fees
Drag to pan · scroll to zoom
Read the full story

Pauper’s story begins in Latin: pauper meant “poor.” Poor; the root of 'poverty' and 'poor'. It reached English by 1510s as pauper. From the legal phrase 'in forma pauperis', letting the poor sue without paying court fees. Today, pauper means a very poor person.