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Where does the word "cage" come from? It comes from Latin cavea, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).
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Where does the word "cage" come from? It comes from Latin cavea, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).
Cage’s story begins in Latin: cavea meant “hollow, enclosure.” From 'cavus', hollow, the root of 'cave'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as cage. Roman amphitheatre seating was also called a 'cavea'. It reached English by 1200s as cage. The same Latin word gave 'jail'. Today, cage means a structure of bars for holding animals.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient cavea "hollow, enclosure", from 'cavus', hollow, the root of 'cave'.
- Stage 2 · Old French · medieval cage "cage", Roman amphitheatre seating was also called a 'cavea'.
- Stage 3 · English · 1200s cage "an enclosure for animals", the same Latin word gave 'jail'.