Exclusivity
/ˌɛk.skluːˈsɪv.ɪ.ti/noun
The state of being limited to a select group or of excluding others.
Did you know?Its core ancestor is Latin *claudere*, “to close,” the same root family behind words for shutting, locking, and even the idea of being locked out.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*kleu-
“to shut, close”
Latin
Latin
claudere
“to close, shut”
Latin
Latin
excludere
“to shut out, keep out”
Late Latin / Medieval Latin
Latin
exclusivus
“excluding, serving to exclude”
Middle English / Early Modern English
English
exclusif / exclusive
“excluding others; limited to a select group”
Modern English
English
exclusivity
“the quality or state of being exclusive”
Explore more surprising origins