Etymology Map
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Compile

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means to produce by assembling information

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

1
Stage 1 of 3
compilare
Latin · ancient
"to plunder, heap up"
possibly from 'pilare', to pillage
2
Stage 2 of 3
compiler
Old French · medieval
"to compile"
'compiler' was used for authors who copied from other writers
3
Stage 3 of 3
compile
English · 1300s
"to collect"
computer 'compilers' date from the 1950s
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Read the full story

Compile’s story begins in Latin: compilare meant “to plunder, heap up.” Possibly from 'pilare', to pillage. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as compiler. 'compiler' was used for authors who copied from other writers. It reached English by 1300s as compile. Computer 'compilers' date from the 1950s. Today, compile means to produce by assembling information.