Census
/ˈsɛn.səs/noun
An official count or survey of a population, typically recording various details of individuals.
Did you know?The term 'census' traces back to ancient Rome, where it was not just a count but a means to assess the people for taxation and military service, often invoking the authority of gods.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
census
“The act of counting or assessing, often for taxes.”
1st Century BC
Latin
censere
“To value, assess, or estimate, particularly regarding property.”
Old French
Old French
cens
“A tax or tribute paid based on the census.”
15th Century
Middle English
census
“Adopted from Latin, retaining the meaning of population count.”
Modern English
English
census
“An official population count, still linked to taxation and governance.”
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