Etymology Map
Back to all words

Proxy

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means the authority to act for another

Where does the word "proxy" come from? It comes from Latin procuratio, passing through Anglo-French before entering English (1400s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
procuratio
Latin · ancient
"management"
from 'procurare', to take care of
2
Stage 2 of 3
procuracie
Anglo-French · medieval
"power of attorney"
an Anglo-French contraction
3
Stage 3 of 3
proxy
English · 1400s
"agent"
'proxy war' dates from the 1950s
Drag to pan · scroll to zoom
Read the full story

Proxy’s story begins in Latin: procuratio meant “management.” From 'procurare', to take care of. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Anglo-French as procuracie. An Anglo-French contraction. It reached English by 1400s as proxy. 'proxy war' dates from the 1950s. Today, proxy means the authority to act for another.