chronicle

Where does the word "chronicle" come from? It comes from Greek khronika, passing through Anglo-French before entering English (1300s).

Chronicle’s story begins in Greek: khronika meant “annals.” Greek, from 'khronos', time. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Anglo-French as cronicle. Anglo-French added the diminutive ending. It reached English by 1300s as chronicle. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle began in the 800s. Today, chronicle means a written record of events in order.

1. Stage 1 · Greek · ancient khronika "annals", Greek, from 'khronos', time.
2. Stage 2 · Anglo-French · medieval cronicle "chronicle", Anglo-French added the diminutive ending.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s chronicle "record of events", the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle began in the 800s.