Etymology Map
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Belfry

3 stages from Frankish to English.

Today it means a bell tower

Where does the word "belfry" come from? It comes from Frankish bergfrid, passing through Old French before entering English (1400s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
bergfrid
Frankish · ancient
"protective tower"
a Germanic word, 'berg' shelter plus 'frithu' peace
2
Stage 2 of 3
berfrei
Old French · medieval
"siege tower"
a movable wooden tower used to attack castle walls
3
Stage 3 of 3
belfry
English · 1400s
"watchtower; bell tower"
the l came from association with 'bell'
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Read the full story

Belfry’s story begins in Frankish: bergfrid meant “protective tower.” A Germanic word, 'berg' shelter plus 'frithu' peace. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as berfrei. A movable wooden tower used to attack castle walls. It reached English by 1400s as belfry. The l came from association with 'bell'. Today, belfry means a bell tower.