revenue

Where does the word "revenue" come from? It comes from Latin revenire, passing through French before entering English (1400s).

Revenue’s story begins in Latin: revenire meant “to come back, to return.” To come back, to return, from re- (back) and venire (to come). By medieval, the word had taken hold in French as revenue. Settled in French for income returning to a person or state. It reached English by 1400s as revenue. French 'returned', what comes back from an investment; the 'Inland Revenue' dates from 1849. Today, revenue means income generated from business activity, investment, or taxation.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient revenire "to come back, to return", to come back, to return, from re- (back) and venire (to come).
2. Stage 2 · French · medieval revenue "income returned to a person or state", settled in French for income returning to a person or state.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1400s revenue "income generated by business activity or taxation", French 'returned', what comes back from an investment; the 'Inland Revenue' dates from 1849.