Negotiate
/nɪˈɡoʊ.ʃi.eɪt/noun
To discuss something in order to reach an agreement.
Did you know?The word comes from Latin *negotium*, which ancient Romans formed as the opposite of *otium*—the sacred space of leisure, contemplation, and ease—so to negotiate was originally to be pulled out of peace and into obligation.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*nek-
“to be lacking, not”
Classical Latin
Latin
negotium
“business, occupation; literally 'not-leisure'”
Late Latin
Latin
negotiāre
“to do business, trade”
Old French
Old French
negocier
“to carry on business, traffic”
16th Century
English
negotiate
“to deal with business; later, to discuss terms”
Modern English
English
negotiate
“to discuss and arrange terms by agreement”