Peculium
/pɪˈkjuːliəm/noun
In ancient Roman law, property or savings that a slave or child could manage and use, though it legally belonged to the head of the household.
Did you know?Peculium comes from the same ancient root as *pecuniary* and *peculate*, because Latin linked wealth to cattle—proof that even money once carried the scent of the herd.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*peḱu-
“Movable wealth, especially cattle”
Latin
Latin
pecus
“Cattle, herd”
Latin
Latin
peculium
“A private store of property or savings, especially for a slave or dependent”
Old French
Old French
pecule
“A small private hoard or savings”
English
English
peculium
“A private fund or savings, especially one set aside for a dependent or servant”
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