denounce etymology

Etymology of "Denounce"

The word "denounce" originates from the Latin verb "denuntiare," which means "to announce or proclaim." It is composed of the prefix "de-," meaning "down," and the verb "nuntiare," meaning "to bring a message."

Meaning and Origin

When "denounce" was first used in the 13th century, it meant "to declare or announce publicly." This sense of the word is still common today, as in "The President denounced the violence at the protest."

However, "denounce" has also developed a negative connotation over time. It now often means "to condemn or criticize publicly," as in "The activists denounced the government's policies" or "The mayor denounced the vandals who damaged the park."

This negative sense of "denounce" likely arose from its association with religious or political persecution. In the past, people who were denounced were often accused of heresy or treason and subjected to severe punishment. As a result, "denounce" became associated with a threat or an accusation, which is the sense of the word that is most common today.

denounce relate terms

  • denunciate

    Etymology Denunciate comes from the Latin verb denuntiare which means to announce p

  • denounce

    Etymology of Denounce The word denounce originates from the Latin verb denuntiare

  • denunciation

    Etymology The word denunciation comes from the Latin word denuntiare which means to

  • announce

    Etymology An Greek prefix not nounco Latin verb to tell Meaning To declare

  • denounce

    Etymology of Denounce The word denounce originates from the Latin verb denuntiare

  • enunciate

    Etymology The word enunciate is derived from the Latin verb enuntiare which means t

  • nuncio

    Etymology Latin nuntius messenger Proto Indo European neu kw to announce

  • pronounce

    Pronunciation prəˈnʌnsi eɪ ʃən Etymology From Latin pronuntiātiō delivery

  • renounce

    Etymology Origin Late Middle English in the sense abandon give up from Old Fr

  • betray

    Etymology The word betray comes from the Old French word betreier which in turn come

  • grass

    Etymology The word grass comes from the Old English word græs which is believed to

  • shop

    Etymology The word shop originates from the Old English term scopp which means she

  • detestation

    Etymology Latin detestatio Meaning abhorrence hatred Origin The word detes

  • denunciation

    Etymology The word denunciation comes from the Latin word denuntiare which means to

  • proscribe

    Etymology The word proscribe comes from the Latin phrase pro scribere meaning to writ

  • publish

    Etymology Middle English published from Anglo Norman French publier from Latin public

  • condemn

    Etymology The word condemn comes from the Latin word condemnare which means to judg

  • announce

    Etymology An Greek prefix not nounco Latin verb to tell Meaning To declare

  • objurgate

    Etymology Late Latin objūrgāre Latin ob against iūrgāre to quarrel scold