Etymology Map
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Array

3 stages from Frankish to English.

Today it means an impressive display; an ordered arrangement

Where does the word "array" come from? It comes from Frankish redan, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
redan
Frankish · ancient
"to prepare"
a Frankish word related to 'ready'
2
Stage 2 of 3
areer
Old French · medieval
"to arrange"
'ready' in English comes from the same Germanic root
3
Stage 3 of 3
array
English · 1300s
"order of battle"
computer 'arrays' date from the 1950s
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Read the full story

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.