Etymology Map
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Chamber

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a large room for formal use

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

1
Stage 1 of 3
camera
Latin · ancient
"vaulted room"
from Greek 'kamara', vault; also gave 'camera'
2
Stage 2 of 3
chambre
Old French · medieval
"room"
private room of a noble
3
Stage 3 of 3
chamber
English · 1200s
"room"
parliamentary 'chambers' date from the 1500s
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Read the full story

Chamber’s story begins in Latin: camera meant “vaulted room.” From Greek 'kamara', vault; also gave 'camera'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as chambre. Private room of a noble. It reached English by 1200s as chamber. Parliamentary 'chambers' date from the 1500s. Today, chamber means a large room for formal use.