Etymology Map
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Cloak

3 stages from Medieval Latin to English.

Today it means a sleeveless outer garment

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

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

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.