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Stenka25 Posted 11 years ago
Vocabulary
The origin of the word havoc
The origin of the word havoc
I came across the passage below in a web-dictionary as follows:
http://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/havoc
If we trace havoc way back, we arrive at a crossroads. Some people believe that the word comes from the Old French havot, meaning “plundering, devastation,” while others argue that it was passed down to us from the Latin habere, meaning “to have, possess.” Either way you look at it, the meaning remains the same: widespread disorder or destruction.
It says havoc's meaning of “plundering, devastation,” can be extracted from the Latin habere, meaning “to have, possess.”
But how does the meaning, “plundering, devastation” come out of “to have, possess”?
Wish for your replies.
Regards.
I came across the passage below in a web-dictionary as follows:
http://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/havoc
If we trace havoc way back, we arrive at a crossroads. Some people believe that the word comes from the Old French havot, meaning “plundering, devastation,” while others argue that it was passed down to us from the Latin habere, meaning “to have, possess.” Either way you look at it, the meaning remains the same: widespread disorder or destruction.
It says havoc's meaning of “plundering, devastation,” can be extracted from the Latin habere, meaning “to have, possess.”
But how does the meaning, “plundering, devastation” come out of “to have, possess”?
Wish for your replies.
Regards.
Top answer
). " So, the connection seems to be "have, possess" -> "seize, grasp" -> "plunder" -> "devastation, disorder, destruction"
- ).
- " So, the connection seems to be "have, possess" -> "seize, grasp" -> "plunder" -> "devastation, disorder, destruction"
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5 Answers
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From the Online Etymology Dictionary (http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=havoc):
"early 15c., from the expression cry havoc "give the signal to pillage" (Anglo-French crier havok, late 14c.). Havok, the signal to soldiers to seize plunder, is from Old French havot "pillaging, looting" (in cri
"early 15c., from the expression cry havoc "give the signal to pillage" (Anglo-French crier havok, late 14c.). Havok, the signal to soldiers to seize plunder, is from Old French havot "pillaging, looting" (in cri
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There is a straightforward and simple explanation for this. It is from the Middle English word, havok, which in turn derived from Anglo-French, the French that was spoken by Norman conquerers. It was originally from the Old French word, havot, meaning plunder. That is, the Normal conquerers spoke French, but their French was subtly, and irresistibly, influenced by the Anglo-Saxon language of th
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AnonymousThere is a straightforward and simple explanation for this.I don't see how your reply addresses the question that was asked.
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