finance

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   The management of money, especially of large amounts.

   She studied business and finance at university.

2. 2
   noun

   The money available to a person, company, or country.

   The company's finances are in good shape this year.

3. 3
   verb

   To provide the money needed for something.

   His parents financed his college education.

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Simplified etymology

Finance came through Old French from finer, “make an end” or “settle a debt,” itself based on fin, “end.” It first referred to payment of a debt, compensation, or ransom, then developed senses relating to taxation and revenue. Its current senses date from the 18th century.

From Middle English finaunce, from Anglo-Norman, Middle French finance, from finer (“to pay ransom”) (whence also English fine (“to pay a penalty”)), from fin (“end”), from Latin fīnis. Original English sense that appeared c. 1400 was “ending”. The sense of “ending or satisfying a debt” originated from French influence: in the sense of “ransom” appeared in the mid 15th century, in the sense of “taxation” appeared in the late 15th century. In the sense of “manage money” first recorded c. 1770.

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External links

• Google Images
• Cambridge Dictionary
• Wiktionary