chaplain

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

Chaplain’s story begins in Medieval Latin: cappella meant “little cloak.” The shrine housing St Martin's cloak, whose keepers were 'cappellani'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as chapelain. A priest serving a private chapel. It reached English by 1300s as chaplain. Military and hospital chaplains date from the 1600s. Today, chaplain means a clergy member attached to an institution.

1. Stage 1 · Medieval Latin · medieval cappella "little cloak", the shrine housing St Martin's cloak, whose keepers were 'cappellani'.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval chapelain "chaplain", a priest serving a private chapel.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s chaplain "private priest", military and hospital chaplains date from the 1600s.