'perdition' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'perditio', where 'perdere' meant 'to ruin, destroy, or lose'.

'perdition' changed from the Medieval Latin/Old French forms 'perditio' / 'perdicion' and entered Middle English (e.g. 'perdicioun'), eventually becoming the modern English word 'perdition'.

Initially it meant 'ruin' or 'loss', but over time it evolved to the primary sense of 'eternal damnation' and also retained the figurative sense of 'utter ruin'.