Etymology Map
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Resort

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a holiday place; to turn to for help

Where does the word "resort" come from? It comes from Latin sortiri, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
sortiri
Latin · ancient
"to cast lots"
from 'sors', lot
2
Stage 2 of 3
resortir
Old French · medieval
"to go out again"
from Latin 'sors', lot, the root of 'sort'
3
Stage 3 of 3
resort
English · 1300s
"recourse"
holiday 'resorts' date from the 1700s
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Read the full story

Resort’s story begins in Latin: sortiri meant “to cast lots.” From 'sors', lot. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as resortir. From Latin 'sors', lot, the root of 'sort'. It reached English by 1300s as resort. Holiday 'resorts' date from the 1700s. Today, resort means a holiday place; to turn to for help.