treaty

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

Treaty’s story begins in Latin: tractare meant “to handle, to negotiate.” The Treaty of Westphalia (1648) is often seen as the start of the modern state system. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as traite. Carried into French for a formal negotiated agreement. It reached English by 1300s as treaty. Settled as the English word for a formal agreement between nations. Today, treaty means a formally negotiated agreement between two or more countries.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient tractare "to handle, to negotiate", the Treaty of Westphalia (1648) is often seen as the start of the modern state system.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval traite "a formal negotiated agreement", carried into French for a formal negotiated agreement.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s treaty "a formal agreement between two or more nations", settled as the English word for a formal agreement between nations.