tax
/tæks/
noun
Origin
Latin
taxare — to handle, touch, value, or assess
Overview
Meaning Now
- A compulsory financial charge or other levy imposed on an individual or entity by a government organization in order to fund public expenditures.
- A strain or heavy burden on one's resources, patience, or health.
Literal older meaning
An estimation or assessment (of value/amount).
Language path
Latin → Old French → English
Earliest form
taxe
Earliest period
14th century
Journey
The term originated from the Latin 'taxare', which initially referred to the process of appraisal. In the medieval period, the term transitioned from denoting the assessment of property value to the legal obligation of paying a levy to a sovereign authority.
Evolution
- Latin
taxare
“to evaluate or estimate”
Frequentative form of tangere 'to touch'.
- Old French
taxer
“to assess the value of, to levy a tax”
- Middle English
taxe
“a mandatory payment”
Borrowed into English in the 14th century.
Connections
Word parts
tax
root
to assess or charge
Related across languages
French
taxe
tax
Spanish
tasa
rate or fee
Italian
tassa
tax or duty
Related words
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External references use DefinedTerm semantics.