angle

Where does the word "angle" come from? It comes from Latin angulus, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

Angle’s story begins in Latin: angulus meant “corner.” Related to Greek 'ankylos', bent. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as angle. A corner or nook. It reached English by 1300s as angle. 'angle' as a point of view dates from the 1800s. Today, angle means the space between two meeting lines.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient angulus "corner", related to Greek 'ankylos', bent.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval angle "corner", a corner or nook.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s angle "corner", 'angle' as a point of view dates from the 1800s.