purchase

Where does the word "purchase" come from? It comes from Vulgar Latin captiare, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

Purchase’s story begins in Vulgar Latin: captiare meant “to seize, hunt.” 'pro-' plus a verb for chasing, the root of 'chase'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as purchacier. Meant to acquire something by effort, not only by money. It reached English by 1200s as purchase. 'purchase' as a grip or leverage keeps the older sense. Today, purchase means to buy.

1. Stage 1 · Vulgar Latin · ancient captiare "to seize, hunt", 'pro-' plus a verb for chasing, the root of 'chase'.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval purchacier "to pursue, obtain", meant to acquire something by effort, not only by money.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1200s purchase "to acquire", 'purchase' as a grip or leverage keeps the older sense.