Etymology Map
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Cellar

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means an underground room for storage

Where does the word "cellar" come from? It comes from Latin cellarium, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
cellarium
Latin · ancient
"storeroom"
from 'cella', small room
2
Stage 2 of 3
celier
Old French · medieval
"storeroom"
food and wine were stored there
3
Stage 3 of 3
cellar
English · 1200s
"storeroom"
'wine cellar' dates from the 1500s
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Read the full story

Cellar’s story begins in Latin: cellarium meant “storeroom.” From 'cella', small room. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as celier. Food and wine were stored there. It reached English by 1200s as cellar. 'wine cellar' dates from the 1500s. Today, cellar means an underground room for storage.