Etymology Map
Back to all words

Proviso

2 stages from Medieval Latin to English.

Today it means a condition attached to an agreement

Where does the word "proviso" come from? It comes from Medieval Latin prōvīsō, adopted directly into English (1400s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
prōvīsō
Medieval Latin · medieval
"provided that"
'it being provided', from the legal phrase 'proviso quod', provided that
2
Stage 2 of 2
proviso
English · 1400s
"condition"
taken from the Latin clauses of English deeds and statutes
Drag to pan · scroll to zoom
Read the full story

Proviso’s story begins in Medieval Latin: prōvīsō meant “provided that.” 'it being provided', from the legal phrase 'proviso quod', provided that. It reached English by 1400s as proviso. Taken from the Latin clauses of English deeds and statutes. Today, proviso means a condition attached to an agreement.