Custom
/ˈkʌs.təm/noun
A traditional practice or habitual way of doing something, especially one shared by a group.
Did you know?In medieval English, custom could mean a legally recognized habitual payment or duty, showing how repeated behavior could literally become authority.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*keu-
“to bend, turn, or be accustomed to something through repeated practice”
Latin
Latin
consuētūdō
“habit, usual practice, custom”
Late Latin
Latin
consuētūdinārius
“customary, habitual”
Old French
Old French
custume
“custom, habitual practice, tax, due”
Middle English
English
custume
“custom, usage, customary payment or duty”
Modern English
English
custom
“a traditional practice or habitual way of doing something”