referendum

Where does the word "referendum" come from? It comes from Latin referre, and was adopted directly into English (1847).

Referendum’s story begins in Latin: referre meant “to refer back.” To refer back, to bring back, from re- (back) and ferre (to carry). It reached English by 1847 as referendum. Swiss cantons used referendums; the word is Latin 'to be referred'. Today, referendum means a general vote by the electorate on a single political question.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient referre "to refer back", to refer back, to bring back, from re- (back) and ferre (to carry).
2. Stage 2 · English · 1847 referendum "a public vote on a single political question", Swiss cantons used referendums; the word is Latin 'to be referred'.