Etymology Map
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Victim

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a person harmed by a crime or event

Where does the word "victim" come from? It comes from Latin victima, passing through French before entering English (1490s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
victima
Latin · ancient
"sacrificial animal"
possibly related to 'vincire', to bind
2
Stage 2 of 3
victime
French · 1400s
"sacrifice"
the Latin word first meant an animal offered in sacrifice
3
Stage 3 of 3
victim
English · 1490s
"sacrifice"
crime 'victims' date from the 1700s
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Read the full story

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.