An Audit Was Once Something You Listened To
An audit is a formal examination of accounts. The Latin root means to hear, because accounts were originally read aloud and heard.
An audit is a formal examination of accounts or processes. The word records how it was done before widespread literacy: Latin *audire* means to hear, and accounts were presented orally to an official who listened. The same root gives *audience*, *audible*, *auditorium* and *obedient* — which literally means listening towards.
- An examination of accounts. *An annual audit.*
- A systematic review. *An energy audit.*
- Verb, to examine. *The books were audited.*
- To attend a course without credit (American). *She audited the class.*
- Auditor — the person who audits. *An external auditor.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | audit | A full audit. |
| Verb | audit | Audit the accounts. |
| Agent | auditor | The auditor's report. |
| Latin | audire | To hear. |
| Related | audience | A large audience. |
- The audit found no irregularities.Finance.
- We ran a content audit of the site.General review.
- He audited the course without taking the exam.American education.
The audire family
- Audience — those who hear
- Audible — able to be heard
- Auditorium — a place for hearing
- Audition — a hearing, for a performer
- Obedient — from *obaudire*, to listen towards
Latin *auditus*, a hearing, from *audire*, to hear. English used it for an examination of accounts from the 1400s.
Why does audit come from hearing?
Because accounts were read aloud to an official who listened and questioned them, at a time when few people read.
Is obedient really related?
Yes. The Latin means to listen towards, and obeying was originally a matter of hearing and heeding.