violence

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

Violence’s story begins in Latin: violentia meant “vehemence.” From 'vis', force. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as violence. Use of force. It reached English by 1300s as violence. 'domestic violence' dates from the 1970s. Today, violence means behaviour using physical force.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient violentia "vehemence", from 'vis', force.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval violence "violence", use of force.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s violence "force", 'domestic violence' dates from the 1970s.