veto

Where does the word "veto" come from? It comes from Latin veto, and was adopted directly into English (1600s).

Veto’s story begins in Latin: veto meant “I forbid.” Literally I forbid, a power held by Roman tribunes to block legislative action. It reached English by 1600s as veto. Latin 'I forbid', used by Roman tribunes to block laws. Today, veto means the constitutional right to reject a decision or proposal made by a lawmaking body.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient veto "I forbid", literally I forbid, a power held by Roman tribunes to block legislative action.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1600s veto "the power to reject a proposed law or decision", Latin 'I forbid', used by Roman tribunes to block laws.