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Where does the word "array" come from? It comes from Frankish redan, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).
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Where does the word "array" come from? It comes from Frankish redan, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).
Array’s story begins in Frankish: redan meant “to prepare.” A Frankish word related to 'ready'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as areer. 'ready' in English comes from the same Germanic root. It reached English by 1300s as array. Computer 'arrays' date from the 1950s. Today, array means an impressive display; an ordered arrangement.
- Stage 1 · Frankish · ancient redan "to prepare", a Frankish word related to 'ready'.
- Stage 2 · Old French · medieval areer "to arrange", 'ready' in English comes from the same Germanic root.
- Stage 3 · English · 1300s array "order of battle", computer 'arrays' date from the 1950s.