april

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

April’s story begins in Latin: Aprilis meant “April.” Origin disputed: Romans linked it to aperire 'to open', as buds open, while modern scholars favour an Etruscan form of Aphrodite, Apru. By 1100s, the word had taken hold in Old French as averil. Gave Middle English averil, replacing Old English Eastermonað, the month Bede (725) ties to a goddess Eostre. It reached English by 1300s as April. Respelled after Latin; Chaucer's Canterbury Tales (c. 1387) opens 'Whan that Aprill with his shoures soote'. Today, april means the fourth month of the year.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · classical Aprilis "April", origin disputed: Romans linked it to aperire 'to open', as buds open, while modern scholars favour an Etruscan form of Aphrodite, Apru.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · 1100s averil "April", gave Middle English averil, replacing Old English Eastermonað, the month Bede (725) ties to a goddess Eostre.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s April "fourth month", respelled after Latin; Chaucer's Canterbury Tales (c. 1387) opens 'Whan that Aprill with his shoures soote'.