poverty

Where does the word "poverty" come from? It comes from Latin paupertas, passing through Old French before entering English (1100s).

Poverty’s story begins in Latin: paupertas meant “poverty.” From 'pauper', poor. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as poverté. The root of 'poor' and 'impoverish'. It reached English by 1100s as poverty. One of the monastic vows. Today, poverty means the state of being extremely poor.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient paupertas "poverty", from 'pauper', poor.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval poverté "poverty", the root of 'poor' and 'impoverish'.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1100s poverty "lack of wealth", one of the monastic vows.