chair

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

Chair’s story begins in Greek: kathedra meant “seat.” 'kata', down, plus 'hedra', seat; a bishop's throne gave 'cathedral'. By ancient, the word had taken hold in Latin as cathedra. A chair of authority, especially a teacher's. From there it passed into Old French as chaere by medieval. The 'th' sound wore away; a parallel form became French 'chaise'. It reached English by 1200s as chair. Also names the person presiding over a meeting, from where they sat. Today, chair means a seat for one person with a back; the person leading a meeting.

1. Stage 1 · Greek · ancient kathedra "seat", 'kata', down, plus 'hedra', seat; a bishop's throne gave 'cathedral'.
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient cathedra "armchair, teacher's chair", a chair of authority, especially a teacher's.
3. Stage 3 · Old French · medieval chaere "seat", the 'th' sound wore away; a parallel form became French 'chaise'.
4. Stage 4 · English · 1200s chair "a seat with a back", also names the person presiding over a meeting, from where they sat.