money-laundering

The term is a modern compound, first recorded in the early 20th century, which metaphorically applies the domestic process of washing clothes to the illicit financial process of "cleaning" dirty money. The word "money" originates from the Latin Moneta, an epithet of the goddess Juno in whose temple coins were minted in Rome. "Laundering" derives from the Latin verb lavare, meaning to wash, which evolved through Old French into English. The compound's logic is vividly metaphorical: just as laundering removes stains from fabric, money-laundering attempts to remove the "stain" or illegal origins from criminal proceeds, making them appear legitimate.

Structure: money (currency) + laundering (cleaning) - money: From Old French moneie, from Latin moneta (mint, money). Functions as the object or subject of the action in the compound. - laundering: From verb launder, from Old French lavandiere, from Latin lavare (to wash). Functions as the action performed on the object, using a metaphorical sense of cleaning.