Etymology Map
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Quota

2 stages from Medieval Latin to English.

Today it means a fixed share or number allowed

Where does the word "quota" come from? It comes from Medieval Latin quota pars, adopted directly into English (1660s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
quota pars
Medieval Latin · medieval
"how great a part"
from 'quotus', of what number
2
Stage 2 of 2
quota
English · 1660s
"a share"
US immigration quotas of the 1920s spread it widely
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Read the full story

Quota’s story begins in Medieval Latin: quota pars meant “how great a part.” From 'quotus', of what number. It reached English by 1660s as quota. US immigration quotas of the 1920s spread it widely. Today, quota means a fixed share or number allowed.