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Where does the word "cite" come from? It comes from Latin citare, passing through Old French before entering English (1400s).
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Where does the word "cite" come from? It comes from Latin citare, passing through Old French before entering English (1400s).
Cite’s story begins in Latin: citare meant “to summon.” A frequentative of 'ciere', to set in motion. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as citer. A legal verb for summoning someone before a church court. It reached English by 1400s as cite. 'cite' as quoting a source dates from the 1500s. Today, cite means to quote as evidence.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient citare "to summon", a frequentative of 'ciere', to set in motion.
- Stage 2 · Old French · medieval citer "to summon", a legal verb for summoning someone before a church court.
- Stage 3 · English · 1400s cite "to summon", 'cite' as quoting a source dates from the 1500s.