Etymology Map
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Purchase

3 stages from Vulgar Latin to English.

Today it means to buy

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

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

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.