English
socialism
Socialism may come from French socialisme.
- Frenchc. 1600–presentsocialismeuncertain
- Englishearliest quotation 1918socialism
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Earlier history uncertain.
Lineage
- Frenchc. 1600–presentsocialismeuncertain
- Englishearliest quotation 1918socialism
Earliest quotation: 1918, National Economic League Quarterly: “…Americans as a rule have no faith in the…”
Formed from social + -ism
Proto-Indo-European *sekʷ- ‘to follow’
…
Archaic Latin sokios
Latin socius ‘a companion’
Latin sociālis ‘of or belonging to a companion or…’
Middle French social ‘allied’
English social
The story
Attested since 1832; either from French socialisme or from social + -ism.
Linked words
through Latin socius ‘a companion, ally’
society, associate, sociology, dissociation, dissociate, 10 more
Today it means
noun Any of various economic and political theories advocating collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / French socialisme / socialism