praise

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

Praise’s story begins in Late Latin: pretium meant “value, price.” The same word gave 'price' and 'prize'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as preisier. Putting a high value on someone. It reached English by 1200s as praise. Split from 'price' and 'prize' as each took a different sense. Today, praise means to express approval or admiration.

1. Stage 1 · Late Latin · ancient pretium "value, price", the same word gave 'price' and 'prize'.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval preisier "to value, prize", putting a high value on someone.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1200s praise "to value; to commend", split from 'price' and 'prize' as each took a different sense.