sanction

Where does the word "sanction" come from? It comes from Latin sancire, passing through Latin before entering English (1500s).

Sanction’s story begins in Latin: sancire meant “to make sacred, to ratify.” The root of 'saint', 'sanctify' and 'sanctuary'. Within Latin, it grew into sanctio by ancient. A decree, a binding law, from sancire. It reached English by 1500s as sanction. Settled as the English word for official permission, or a penalty for breaking a rule. Today, sanction means official permission or approval, or a penalty imposed for breaking a rule.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient sancire "to make sacred, to ratify", the root of 'saint', 'sanctify' and 'sanctuary'.
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient sanctio "a decree, a binding law", a decree, a binding law, from sancire.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1500s sanction "official permission, or a penalty for breaking a rule", settled as the English word for official permission, or a penalty for breaking a rule.