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Where does the word "apparel" come from? It comes from Latin appariculare, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).
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Where does the word "apparel" come from? It comes from Latin appariculare, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).
Apparel’s story begins in Latin: appariculare meant “to make fit.” From 'par', equal: to make things match. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as apareil. Furnishings and gear. It reached English by 1200s as apparel. Narrowed to clothing by the 1300s. Today, apparel means clothing.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient appariculare "to make fit", from 'par', equal: to make things match.
- Stage 2 · Old French · medieval apareil "preparation, equipment", furnishings and gear.
- Stage 3 · English · 1200s apparel "equipment; clothing", narrowed to clothing by the 1300s.