autumn

Where does the word "autumn" come from? It comes from Latin autumnus, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

Autumn’s story begins in Latin: autumnus meant “autumn.” Possibly of Etruscan origin. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as autompne. Chaucer used 'autumpne'; 'fall' is the older native English word. It reached English by 1300s as autumn. Americans kept 'fall', an older English word. Today, autumn means the season after summer.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient autumnus "autumn", possibly of Etruscan origin.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval autompne "autumn", Chaucer used 'autumpne'; 'fall' is the older native English word.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s autumn "autumn", Americans kept 'fall', an older English word.