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Where does the word "profit" come from? It comes from Latin profectus, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).
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Where does the word "profit" come from? It comes from Latin profectus, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).
Profit’s story begins in Latin: profectus meant “progress, advance.” From 'proficere', to make progress. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as profit. Gain of any kind. It reached English by 1300s as profit. Business 'profit' followed. Today, profit means financial gain.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient profectus "progress, advance", from 'proficere', to make progress.
- Stage 2 · Old French · medieval profit "benefit", gain of any kind.
- Stage 3 · English · 1300s profit "benefit", business 'profit' followed.