Etymology Map
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Chart

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a map or diagram

Where does the word "chart" come from? It comes from Latin charta, passing through French before entering English (1570s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
charta
Latin · ancient
"paper, map"
from Greek 'khartēs', papyrus
2
Stage 2 of 3
charte
French · 1500s
"map"
a sailor's map
3
Stage 3 of 3
chart
English · 1570s
"map"
music 'charts' date from the 1950s
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Read the full story

Chart’s story begins in Latin: charta meant “paper, map.” From Greek 'khartēs', papyrus. By 1500s, the word had taken hold in French as charte. A sailor's map. It reached English by 1570s as chart. Music 'charts' date from the 1950s. Today, chart means a map or diagram.