Etymology Map
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Society

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means people living together in an ordered community; an organisation

Where does the word "society" come from? It comes from Latin societas, adopted directly into English (1530s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
societas
Latin · classical
"partnership"
a partnership, from socius 'companion'; the tax-farming societates publicanorum were Rome's nearest thing to companies with shares
2
Stage 2 of 2
society
English · 1530s
"community; organisation"
came via Middle French société; the Royal Society received its royal charter in 1662, and 'society' for the whole social order came in the 1600s
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Read the full story

Society’s story begins in Latin: societas meant “partnership.” A partnership, from socius 'companion'; the tax-farming societates publicanorum were Rome's nearest thing to companies with shares. It reached English by 1530s as society. Came via Middle French société; the Royal Society received its royal charter in 1662, and 'society' for the whole social order came in the 1600s. Today, society means people living together in an ordered community; an organisation.