Lexica → Word → company
| Letter | C |
|---|---|
| Letter name | cee |
| Pronounciation | /siː/ |
| Word: | company |
|---|---|
| Pronounciation: | |
| Century: | 13th |
| DA Name: | company |
| Era: | C.E. |
| Origin: | Original |
| Type: | Official |
| Source Language: | Latin |
Source Language Words: | |
| Source Text: | |
Definition: | From 13th Century Latin companio meaning "a body of (normally) Jewish servants bonded to a vassal of the Vatican under the rules of SERVI CAMERAE REGIS and USURY". Contrary to the deliberately false etymology attributed to the word, it is constructed from two ancient Latin words compes = "fetters, shackles, chained" and ani = "ring" meaning literally "chained to the ring (of the Pope)". The word first acquired its military meaning in the 16th Century only after it was deliberately used as the official name of the Jesuits (Company of Jesus). From the 17th Century onwards, the word became a key component of title of business ventures as a CHARTERED COMPANY --with many of the 1st being influenced/created by the Jesuits. |
