'illiteracy' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'illiteratus,' where 'in-' meant 'not' and 'litteratus' meant 'lettered or educated.'

'illiteratus' transformed into the French word 'illiteré,' and eventually became the modern English word 'illiteracy' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'not lettered or educated,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'the inability to read and write.'