surplus

Where does the word "surplus" come from? It comes from Medieval Latin superplus, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

Surplus’s story begins in Medieval Latin: superplus meant “excess.” Medieval Latin 'super', over, plus 'plus', more. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as surplus. An amount left over. It reached English by 1300s as surplus. 'army surplus' dates from the 1900s. Today, surplus means an amount left over.

1. Stage 1 · Medieval Latin · medieval superplus "excess", Medieval Latin 'super', over, plus 'plus', more.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval surplus "excess", an amount left over.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s surplus "excess", 'army surplus' dates from the 1900s.