territory

Where does the word "territory" come from? It comes from Latin territorium, passing through Old French before entering English (1400s).

Territory’s story begins in Latin: territorium meant “land around a town.” From 'terra', land. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as territoire. A region under a ruler. It reached English by 1400s as territory. 'territorial waters' date from the 1800s. Today, territory means an area of land under one ruler.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient territorium "land around a town", from 'terra', land.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval territoire "territory", a region under a ruler.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1400s territory "region", 'territorial waters' date from the 1800s.