dividend etymology

Etymology

  • Middle English: dividende, from Latin: dividendus, from dividere "to divide" (past participle: divisus)

Meaning

  • A sum of money to be distributed among shareholders from the profits or surplus of a company.
  • A number or quantity that is being divided by another number or quantity (the divisor).

Origin

The word "dividend" comes from the Latin verb "dividere," which means "to divide." It originally referred to a portion of something that was divided and distributed, such as a share of property or money.

In the context of finance, the term "dividend" began to be used in the 17th century to refer to the distribution of profits to shareholders. The concept of paying dividends to shareholders became common in the early days of joint-stock companies, when companies would distribute excess profits among their shareholders as a way of rewarding them for their investment.

Over time, the term "dividend" came to be used more specifically to refer to the portion of a company's earnings that is distributed to shareholders on a regular basis, usually quarterly or annually. Dividends are typically paid in cash, but may also be paid in the form of stock or other assets.

dividend relate terms

  • divide

    Etymology Latin dividere Proto Indo European dey meaning to distribute divide

  • devise

    Etymology French déviser to converse Latin divisus separated divided Meanin

  • divvy

    Etymology The word divvy is a slang term that originated from the earlier verb divvy u

  • dividend

    Etymology Middle English dividende from Latin dividendus from dividere to divide

  • divine

    Etymology The word divine comes from the Latin word divus meaning god or godlike

  • denominator

    Etymology The word denominator comes from Latin derived from the word denomenator w

  • lagniappe

    Etymology From Spanish la ñapa meaning something extra a gift from Old Spanish

  • bonus

    Etymology The word bonus is derived from the Latin word bonus which means good I

  • incentive

    Etymology Latin incentivus Indo European ken kenk to urge Meaning Somethi

  • profit

    Etymology The word profit comes from the Latin word profectus meaning progress or

  • cruel

    Etymology The word cruel comes from the Middle French word cruel and that in turn fr

  • lucre

    Etymology Latin lucrum Proto Indo European lewgʰ to loot plunder Meaning

  • number

    Etymology Comes from the Old French word nombere which derives from the Latin numer