cloak

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

Cloak’s story begins in Medieval Latin: clocca meant “bell.” An Irish missionary word for a bell, used for the bell-shaped cape. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as cloque. A travelling cape. It reached English by 1200s as cloak. 'cloak-and-dagger' dates from the 1800s. Today, cloak means a sleeveless outer garment.

1. Stage 1 · Medieval Latin · medieval clocca "bell", an Irish missionary word for a bell, used for the bell-shaped cape.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval cloque "cloak", a travelling cape.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1200s cloak "cape", 'cloak-and-dagger' dates from the 1800s.