comrade

Where does the word "comrade" come from? It comes from Latin camera, passing through Spanish before entering English (1590s).

Comrade’s story begins in Latin: camera meant “room, chamber.” The root of 'chamber'. By 1500s, the word had taken hold in Spanish as camarada. A group sharing a room, especially soldiers in barracks; came via French 'camarade'. It reached English by 1590s as comrade. The socialist form of address dates from the 1880s. Today, comrade means a companion who shares one's activities.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient camera "room, chamber", the root of 'chamber'.
2. Stage 2 · Spanish · 1500s camarada "roommate, fellow soldier", a group sharing a room, especially soldiers in barracks; came via French 'camarade'.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1590s comrade "companion", the socialist form of address dates from the 1880s.