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Where does the word "victim" come from? It comes from Latin victima, passing through French before entering English (1490s).
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Where does the word "victim" come from? It comes from Latin victima, passing through French before entering English (1490s).
Victim’s story begins in Latin: victima meant “sacrificial animal.” Possibly related to 'vincire', to bind. By 1400s, the word had taken hold in French as victime. The Latin word first meant an animal offered in sacrifice. It reached English by 1490s as victim. Crime 'victims' date from the 1700s. Today, victim means a person harmed by a crime or event.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient victima "sacrificial animal", possibly related to 'vincire', to bind.
- Stage 2 · French · 1400s victime "sacrifice", the Latin word first meant an animal offered in sacrifice.
- Stage 3 · English · 1490s victim "sacrifice", crime 'victims' date from the 1700s.