public

Where does the word "public" come from? It comes from Latin publicus, passing through Old French before entering English (1400s).

Public’s story begins in Latin: publicus meant “of the people.” From 'populus', people. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as public. Latin 'res publica', the public thing, gave 'republic'. It reached English by 1400s as public. British 'public schools' are, confusingly, private. Today, public means relating to the people as a whole.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient publicus "of the people", from 'populus', people.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval public "public", Latin 'res publica', the public thing, gave 'republic'.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1400s public "of the people", British 'public schools' are, confusingly, private.