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Where does the word "archer" come from? It comes from Latin arcus, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).
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Where does the word "archer" come from? It comes from Latin arcus, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).
Archer’s story begins in Latin: arcus meant “bow.” The root of 'arc' and 'arch'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as archier. From Vulgar Latin 'arcarius'. It reached English by 1200s as archer. English longbowmen won at Agincourt in 1415. Today, archer means a person who shoots with a bow.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient arcus "bow", the root of 'arc' and 'arch'.
- Stage 2 · Old French · medieval archier "bowman", from Vulgar Latin 'arcarius'.
- Stage 3 · English · 1200s archer "bowman", English longbowmen won at Agincourt in 1415.