band

Where does the word "band" come from? It comes from Old Norse band, and was adopted directly into English (1200s).

Band’s story begins in Old Norse: band meant “a binding, a cord.” A binding, a cord used to tie things together. It reached English by 1200s as band. Settled as the English word for a strip used to bind or encircle something. Today, band means a strip of material used to bind or encircle something, or a group of musicians.

1. Stage 1 · Old Norse · medieval band "a binding, a cord", a binding, a cord used to tie things together.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1200s band "a strip of material used to bind or encircle something", settled as the English word for a strip used to bind or encircle something.