tax

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

Tax’s story begins in Latin: taxare meant “to assess, to value.” Possibly from 'tangere', to touch; also gives 'taxing' in the sense of burdensome. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as taxer. Used for the official assessment of what was owed. It reached English by 1300s as tax. The noun, a compulsory payment to the state, followed the verb. Today, tax means money that people and businesses must pay to the government.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient taxare "to assess, to value", possibly from 'tangere', to touch; also gives 'taxing' in the sense of burdensome.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval taxer "to impose a levy", used for the official assessment of what was owed.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s tax "to levy; a levy", the noun, a compulsory payment to the state, followed the verb.