ill gotten etymology

Etymology

  • Ill (adjective): from Old English "yfel," meaning "bad, evil, wicked"
  • Gotten (verb): past participle of "get," from Old English "geotan," meaning "to obtain, acquire"

Meaning

Ill-gotten refers to something that has been obtained or acquired through illegal or immoral means. It implies that the acquisition was unethical, dishonest, or even criminal.

Origin

The phrase "ill-gotten" first appeared in the 14th century in the work of William Langland. It was originally used to describe wealth that had been acquired through theft, bribery, or other dishonest practices. Over time, the meaning has broadened to include any form of unethical or illegal acquisition.

Usage

Ill-gotten is commonly used to describe:

  • Money or property obtained through corruption, bribery, or embezzlement
  • Wealth accumulated through unethical business practices
  • Goods that have been stolen or illegally acquired
  • Profits made through criminal activities

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