victory

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

Victory’s story begins in Latin: vincere meant “to conquer, to win.” The root of 'victor', 'convince' and 'evict'. Within Latin, it grew into victoria by ancient. A conquest, a win, from vincere. From there it passed into Old French as victorie by medieval. Carried into French for success in a battle or contest. It reached English by 1300s as victory. Settled as the English word for success in a battle, war, or contest. Today, victory means an act of winning or success achieved in a battle, war, or contest.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient vincere "to conquer, to win", the root of 'victor', 'convince' and 'evict'.
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient victoria "a conquest, a win", a conquest, a win, from vincere.
3. Stage 3 · Old French · medieval victorie "success in a battle or contest", carried into French for success in a battle or contest.
4. Stage 4 · English · 1300s victory "success achieved in a battle, war, or contest", settled as the English word for success in a battle, war, or contest.