Welfare
/ˈwɛl.fɛər/noun
The health, happiness, and fortunes of a person or group.
Did you know?The term 'welfare' has roots in Middle English, where it originally meant 'well-being', but its journey through history reflects societal attitudes towards care and support, often tied to class and power dynamics.
Etymological Timeline
Old English
OE
wela
“Well-being, prosperity.”
Middle English
ME
welfare
“The state of being happy, healthy, or prosperous.”
Late Middle Ages
ME
welfair
“The condition or quality of being well off.”
Modern English
English
welfare
“A system of support for those in need, often funded by the state.”