cantor

Where does the word "cantor" come from? It comes from Latin canere, passing through Latin before entering English (1400s).

Cantor’s story begins in Latin: canere meant “to sing.” The root of 'chant', 'cantata' and 'incantation'. Within Latin, it grew into cantor by ancient. A singer, from canere. It reached English by 1400s as cantor. Used for the prayer leader of a synagogue and the precentor of a cathedral choir. Today, cantor means a person who leads liturgical singing, especially in a synagogue or church.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient canere "to sing", the root of 'chant', 'cantata' and 'incantation'.
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient cantor "a singer", a singer, from canere.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1400s cantor "a person who leads religious singing", used for the prayer leader of a synagogue and the precentor of a cathedral choir.