Cooperative
/koʊˈɑːpərətɪv/noun
Willing to work with others; also, an organization owned and run by its members.
Did you know?The core of *cooperative* comes from Latin *opus* (“work”), the same ancient root that also gave English *opus*, *operate*, and *operator*—so hidden inside cooperation is literally the idea of shared labor.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
cooperari
“to work together, collaborate”
Late Latin
Latin
cooperativus
“inclined to work together”
Middle French
French
coopératif
“cooperative, collaborative”
Late 16th Century
English
co-operative
“working jointly with others”
19th Century
English
cooperative
“working together; a member-owned enterprise”
Modern English
English
cooperative
“willing to cooperate; a jointly owned and run business”
Explore more surprising origins