Etymology Map
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Autumn

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means the season after summer

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

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

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.