statute

The story

1. Latin · derived fromstatutus
2. Late Latin · derived fromstatutum“a statute”
3. Old French · derived fromstatut
4. Middle English · inherited fromstatut
5. English todaystatute

From Middle English statut, from Old French statut, from Late Latin statutum (“a statute”), neuter singular of Latin statutus, past participle of statuō (“to set up, establish”).

First known use, by meaning

• from ca. 1300s A written law or ordinance passed by a legislative body.
• from 1389 A rule of an organization or institution.
• from 1791 A (theoretical) type of statutory law specified as regulating a person or thing.
• from 1791 Legal status of being subject to this.
• from before 1600 A statute fair.