riot

Where does the word "riot" come from? It comes from Medieval Latin riota, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

Riot’s story begins in Medieval Latin: riota meant “dispute.” Italian has the same word as 'riotta'; it may go back to Latin 'rugire', to roar. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as riote. Noisy revelry. It reached English by 1200s as riot. 'read the riot act' comes from the Riot Act of 1714. Today, riot means a violent public disturbance.

1. Stage 1 · Medieval Latin · medieval riota "dispute", Italian has the same word as 'riotta'; it may go back to Latin 'rugire', to roar.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval riote "quarrel; debauchery", noisy revelry.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1200s riot "wild living", 'read the riot act' comes from the Riot Act of 1714.