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Where does the word "senate" come from? It comes from Latin senatus, and was adopted directly into English (1200s).
Read the full story
Where does the word "senate" come from? It comes from Latin senatus, and was adopted directly into English (1200s).
Senate’s story begins in Latin: senatus meant “a council of elders.” A council of elders, from senex (old man). It reached English by 1200s as senate. Settled as the English word for a governing legislative council. Today, senate means a governing or legislative body, especially the upper house of some parliaments.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient senatus "a council of elders", a council of elders, from senex (old man).
- Stage 2 · English · 1200s senate "a governing or legislative council", settled as the English word for a governing legislative council.