Etymology Map
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Chronicle

3 stages from Greek to English.

Today it means a written record of events in order

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

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

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.