chattel

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

Chattel’s story begins in Medieval Latin: capitale meant “property.” From 'caput', head; the same word gave 'cattle' and 'capital'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as chatel. Parisian form, while Norman 'catel' gave 'cattle'. It reached English by 1200s as chattel. Still a legal term. Today, chattel means a personal possession.

1. Stage 1 · Medieval Latin · medieval capitale "property", from 'caput', head; the same word gave 'cattle' and 'capital'.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval chatel "movable property", Parisian form, while Norman 'catel' gave 'cattle'.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1200s chattel "movable property", still a legal term.