- finance
- c.1400, "an end," from M.Fr. finance "ending, settlement of a debt," from M.L. finis "a payment in settlement, fine or tax," from L. finis "end" (see finish). The notion is of "ending" (by satisfying) something that is due (cf. Gk. telos "end;" pl. tele "services due, dues exacted by the state, financial means." See also fine (n.)). The Fr. senses were gradually brought into Eng.: "ransom" (1439), "taxation" (1489); the sense of "manage money" first recorded in Eng. 1770. Finances "pecuniary resources" is from 1781. Financier is from 1618, originally of Fr. tax farmers; sense of "capitalist" is first recorded 1867.