Etymology Map
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Attire

3 stages from Frankish to English.

Today it means clothes, especially formal ones

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

1
Stage 1 of 3
tieira
Frankish · ancient
"row, order"
a Frankish word for order or rank
2
Stage 2 of 3
atirier
Old French · medieval
"to arrange, equip"
'a-' plus 'tire', order: to put in order
3
Stage 3 of 3
attire
English · 1300s
"to dress"
the noun 'attire', clothing, followed
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Read the full story

Attire’s story begins in Frankish: tieira meant “row, order.” A Frankish word for order or rank. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as atirier. 'a-' plus 'tire', order: to put in order. It reached English by 1300s as attire. The noun 'attire', clothing, followed. Today, attire means clothes, especially formal ones.