revolt

Where does the word "revolt" come from? It comes from Latin volvere, passing through Italian and French before entering English (1550s).

Revolt’s story begins in Latin: volvere meant “to roll, to turn.” To roll, to turn, giving rise to revolvere (to roll back). By medieval, the word had taken hold in Italian as rivolta. A turning, an uprising, from revolvere. From there it passed into French as revolte by 1500s. Carried into French for an armed uprising against authority. It reached English by 1550s as revolt. Settled as the English word for a rebellion against authority. Today, revolt means a rebellion or uprising against authority, or a feeling of strong disgust.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient volvere "to roll, to turn", to roll, to turn, giving rise to revolvere (to roll back).
2. Stage 2 · Italian · medieval rivolta "a turning, an uprising", a turning, an uprising, from revolvere.
3. Stage 3 · French · 1500s revolte "an armed uprising against authority", carried into French for an armed uprising against authority.
4. Stage 4 · English · 1550s revolt "a rebellion against authority", settled as the English word for a rebellion against authority.