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Chair

4 stages from Greek to English.

Today it means a seat for one person with a back; the person leading a meeting

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

kathedra→cathedra→chaere→chair

Greek · ancient

'kata', down, plus 'hedra', seat; a bishop's throne gave 'cathedral'

Latin · ancient

"armchair, teacher's chair"

a chair of authority, especially a teacher's

Old French · medieval

the 'th' sound wore away; a parallel form became French 'chaise'

English · 1200s

"a seat with a back"

also names the person presiding over a meeting, from where they sat

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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.