Etymology Map
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Ceremony

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a formal religious or public occasion

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

1
Stage 1 of 3
caerimonia
Latin · ancient
"sacred rite"
possibly Etruscan
2
Stage 2 of 3
ceremonie
Old French · medieval
"ceremony"
Roman 'caerimonia' covered sacred rites of state religion
3
Stage 3 of 3
ceremony
English · 1300s
"rite"
'stand on ceremony' dates from the 1600s
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Read the full story

Ceremony’s story begins in Latin: caerimonia meant “sacred rite.” Possibly Etruscan. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as ceremonie. Roman 'caerimonia' covered sacred rites of state religion. It reached English by 1300s as ceremony. 'stand on ceremony' dates from the 1600s. Today, ceremony means a formal religious or public occasion.