Etymology Map
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Capon

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a castrated domestic cock fattened for eating

Where does the word "capon" come from? It comes from Latin capo, passing through Old French before entering English (1000s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
capo
Latin · ancient
"castrated cockerel"
possibly from a root meaning 'to cut'
2
Stage 2 of 3
capon
Old French · medieval
"capon"
a fattened castrated rooster
3
Stage 3 of 3
capon
English · 1000s
"capon"
a medieval luxury food
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Read the full story

Capon’s story begins in Latin: capo meant “castrated cockerel.” Possibly from a root meaning 'to cut'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as capon. A fattened castrated rooster. It reached English by 1000s as capon. A medieval luxury food. Today, capon means a castrated domestic cock fattened for eating.