Etymology Map
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Riot

3 stages from Medieval Latin to English.

Today it means a violent public disturbance

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

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

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.