Etymology Map
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Astronomy

3 stages from Greek to English.

Today it means the study of stars and planets

Where does the word "astronomy" come from? It comes from Greek astronomia, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
astronomia
Greek · ancient
"star arrangement"
Greek, 'astron', star, plus 'nomos', law
2
Stage 2 of 3
astronomie
Old French · medieval
"astronomy"
came via Latin 'astronomia'
3
Stage 3 of 3
astronomy
English · 1200s
"study of stars"
split from astrology in the 1600s
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Read the full story

Astronomy’s story begins in Greek: astronomia meant “star arrangement.” Greek, 'astron', star, plus 'nomos', law. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as astronomie. Came via Latin 'astronomia'. It reached English by 1200s as astronomy. Split from astrology in the 1600s. Today, astronomy means the study of stars and planets.