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Where does the word "common" come from? It comes from Latin communis, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).
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Where does the word "common" come from? It comes from Latin communis, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).
Common’s story begins in Latin: communis meant “shared by all.” 'com-', together, plus 'munis', bound to serve. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as comun. Shared by all. It reached English by 1300s as common. The 'House of Commons' dates from the 1300s. Today, common means shared by all; ordinary.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient communis "shared by all", 'com-', together, plus 'munis', bound to serve.
- Stage 2 · Old French · medieval comun "common", shared by all.
- Stage 3 · English · 1300s common "shared", the 'House of Commons' dates from the 1300s.