Etymology Map
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Angle

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means the space between two meeting lines

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

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

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.