Policyholder
/ˈpɑː.lə.siˌhoʊl.dɚ/noun
A person or entity that owns an insurance policy.
Did you know?Policyholder is a transparent modern compound: it combines policy, from Latin *pollicitia* via French, with holder, from Old English *healdan* meaning “to keep, maintain, possess,” so the word literally names the one who keeps the contract alive.
Etymological Timeline
Late Middle English
English
policy
“A system of governance, rule, or public order; later also an insurance contract.”
Old French
OF
police
“Public order, administration, or government.”
Late Latin
Latin
politia
“Civil administration, polity, government.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
politeia
“Citizenship, constitution, or the organization of a state.”
Modern English
English
holder
“One who holds, possesses, or keeps something.”
Old English
OE
healdan
“To hold, keep, possess, or maintain.”