Etymology Map
Back to all words

Carriage

3 stages from Late Latin to English.

Today it means a vehicle; the way one carries oneself

Where does the word "carriage" come from? It comes from Late Latin carricare, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
carricare
Late Latin · ancient
"to load"
from 'carrus', wagon
2
Stage 2 of 3
cariage
Old French · medieval
"transport"
Norman French form
3
Stage 3 of 3
carriage
English · 1300s
"transport"
horse-drawn 'carriages' date from the 1500s
Drag to pan · scroll to zoom
Read the full story

Carriage’s story begins in Late Latin: carricare meant “to load.” From 'carrus', wagon. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as cariage. Norman French form. It reached English by 1300s as carriage. Horse-drawn 'carriages' date from the 1500s. Today, carriage means a vehicle; the way one carries oneself.