sum

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

Sum’s story begins in Latin: summa meant “highest, total.” Feminine of 'summus', highest; Romans added columns upward, writing the total at the top. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as somme. Used for money totals. It reached English by 1200s as sum. 'summit' shares the root. Today, sum means the total from adding numbers.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient summa "highest, total", feminine of 'summus', highest; Romans added columns upward, writing the total at the top.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval somme "sum", used for money totals.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1200s sum "a total", 'summit' shares the root.