Etymology Map
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Bandage

3 stages from Frankish to English.

Today it means a strip of material for binding a wound

Where does the word "bandage" come from? It comes from Frankish binda, passing through French before entering English (1590s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
binda
Frankish · ancient
"band, strip"
a Germanic word related to 'bind'
2
Stage 2 of 3
bande
French · 1500s
"strip"
'bande' plus the suffix -age
3
Stage 3 of 3
bandage
English · 1590s
"strip of cloth"
'Band-Aid' dates from 1920
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Read the full story

Bandage’s story begins in Frankish: binda meant “band, strip.” A Germanic word related to 'bind'. By 1500s, the word had taken hold in French as bande. 'bande' plus the suffix -age. It reached English by 1590s as bandage. 'Band-Aid' dates from 1920. Today, bandage means a strip of material for binding a wound.