remit

Where does the word "remit" come from? It comes from Latin remittere, and was adopted directly into English (1300s).

Remit’s story begins in Latin: remittere meant “to send back, to release.” To send back, to release, from re- (back) and mittere (to send). It reached English by 1300s as remit. Settled as the English word for sending money as payment, or forgiving a debt. Today, remit means to send money as payment, or the task or area officially assigned to someone.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient remittere "to send back, to release", to send back, to release, from re- (back) and mittere (to send).
2. Stage 2 · English · 1300s remit "to send money as payment, or to forgive a debt", settled as the English word for sending money as payment, or forgiving a debt.