Richesse
/ˈrɪtʃɛs/noun
Wealth or abundance, especially in a poetic or old-fashioned sense.
Did you know?English *rich* and French *richesse* ultimately come from a Germanic root meaning “powerful” or “mighty,” showing that wealth was once understood as force, not just cash.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*rīkijaz
“mighty, powerful, ruling”
Old High German
OHG
rīhhi
“powerful, wealthy; realm”
Old French
OF
richesse
“wealth, abundance”
Middle English
ME
richesse
“wealth, riches”
Modern English
English
riches
“wealth, abundance”