Etymology Map
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Common

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means shared by all; ordinary

Where does the word "common" come from? It comes from Latin communis, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
communis
Latin · ancient
"shared by all"
'com-', together, plus 'munis', bound to serve
2
Stage 2 of 3
comun
Old French · medieval
"common"
shared by all
3
Stage 3 of 3
common
English · 1300s
"shared"
the 'House of Commons' dates from the 1300s
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Read the full story

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.