Droit
/drɔɪt/noun
A French word meaning “right” or “law,” and in English usage a legal right or the law of a state.
Did you know?“Droit” comes from the Latin idea of what is straight or direct, which is why so many languages link moral rightness, legal authority, and physical straightness as the same ancient concept.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*reg-
“to move in a straight line; to direct, guide, or rule”
Latin
Latin
directus
“straight, direct, without bending”
Late Latin
Latin
directum
“that which is straight or right; a legal right”
Old French
Old French
droit
“right, straight; law, legal right”
Modern English
English
droit
“a legal right, especially in phrases like droit of admiralty”