canary

Where does the word "canary" come from? It comes from Latin canis, passing through Latin before entering English (1570s).

Canary’s story begins in Latin: canis meant “a dog.” Dog, the root behind the Canary Islands, said to be named for its large dogs. Within Latin, it grew into canaria by ancient. The Canary Islands, later giving their name to the small songbird native there. It reached English by 1570s as canary. Settled as the English word for the small yellow songbird. Today, canary means a small yellow songbird, popular as a pet.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient canis "a dog", dog, the root behind the Canary Islands, said to be named for its large dogs.
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient canaria "the Canary Islands", the Canary Islands, later giving their name to the small songbird native there.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1570s canary "a small yellow songbird", settled as the English word for the small yellow songbird.