vote

Where does the word "vote" come from? It comes from Latin votum, passing through Scots before entering English (1400s).

Vote’s story begins in Latin: votum meant “vow, wish.” The same root as 'vow'. By 1400s, the word had taken hold in Scots as vote. Latin-trained Scottish lawyers and churchmen borrowed it directly from 'votum'. It reached English by 1400s as vote. Spread into English in the 1500s, keeping the Scottish political sense. Today, vote means a formal expression of choice in an election.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient votum "vow, wish", the same root as 'vow'.
2. Stage 2 · Scots · 1400s vote "a formal wish or decision", Latin-trained Scottish lawyers and churchmen borrowed it directly from 'votum'.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1400s vote "a wish; a vote", spread into English in the 1500s, keeping the Scottish political sense.