'non-lucrative' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'lucrativus,' where 'lucrum' meant 'gain' or 'profit.' The prefix 'non-' is used to indicate the absence of profit.

'lucrativus' transformed into the French word 'lucratif,' and eventually became the modern English word 'lucrative.' The prefix 'non-' was added to form 'non-lucrative.'

Initially, 'lucrative' meant 'producing profit,' and 'non-lucrative' has always meant 'not producing profit.'