Where does “refugee” come from?
Refugee comes from French réfugié, past participle of réfugier, derived from French refuge, from Latin refugium, composed of Latin re- and fugio meaning to flee.
refugee (English): A person seeking refuge in a foreign country out...
Definitions
- A person seeking refuge in a foreign country out...
Ancestry of “refugee”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | French | réfugié | past participle of réfugier; Refugee |
| 2 | Old French | refuge | a refuge; a protector or savior |
| 3 | Latin | refugium | refuge |
| 4 | Latin | refugiō | to run away, flee or escape |
| 5 | Latin | rĕ- | back, backwards |
| 6 | Latin | prōdūcō | to lead or bring forth, forward or out |
| 7 | Latin | prō- | forward direction, forward movement |
| 8 | Proto-Italic | *pro- | pro- see the Latin entry for further meanings |
| 9 | Proto-Indo-European | pro- | toward, forward |
| 10 | Proto-Indo-European | por- | to give birth; forward, through; going, passage |
| 11 | Proto-Indo-European | per- | before, in front; first; to go through |
| 12 | Proto-Indo-European | pr̥tós | passed , crossed |