promise

Where does the word "promise" come from? It comes from Latin promittere, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

Promise’s story begins in Latin: promittere meant “to send forth, to assure beforehand.” To send forth, to assure beforehand, from pro- (forth) and mittere (to send). By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as promesse. Carried into French for a pledge to do something. It reached English by 1300s as promise. Settled as the English word for a firm commitment to do something. Today, promise means a firm commitment to do or not do something.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient promittere "to send forth, to assure beforehand", to send forth, to assure beforehand, from pro- (forth) and mittere (to send).
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval promesse "a pledge to do something", carried into French for a pledge to do something.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s promise "a firm commitment to do something", settled as the English word for a firm commitment to do something.