revoke

Where does the word "revoke" come from? It comes from Latin revocare, and was adopted directly into English (1400s).

Revoke’s story begins in Latin: revocare meant “to call back.” To call back, from re- (back) and vocare (to call). It reached English by 1400s as revoke. Settled as the English word for officially canceling something. Today, revoke means to officially cancel or withdraw a decision, right, or privilege.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient revocare "to call back", to call back, from re- (back) and vocare (to call).
2. Stage 2 · English · 1400s revoke "to officially cancel a decision, right, or privilege", settled as the English word for officially canceling something.