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Where does the word "apprentice" come from? It comes from Latin apprehendere, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).
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Where does the word "apprentice" come from? It comes from Latin apprehendere, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).
Apprentice’s story begins in Latin: apprehendere meant “to seize, learn.” 'ad-' plus 'prehendere', to seize. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as aprentis. One who is learning a trade. It reached English by 1300s as apprentice. Medieval guilds bound apprentices for seven years. Today, apprentice means a person learning a trade from a skilled employer.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient apprehendere "to seize, learn", 'ad-' plus 'prehendere', to seize.
- Stage 2 · Old French · medieval aprentis "learner", one who is learning a trade.
- Stage 3 · English · 1300s apprentice "learner", medieval guilds bound apprentices for seven years.