Etymology Map
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Conceal

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means to keep from sight

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

1
Stage 1 of 3
concelare
Latin · ancient
"to hide"
'com-' plus 'celare', to hide
2
Stage 2 of 3
conceler
Old French · medieval
"to hide"
Latin 'celare', to hide, comes from the same root as English 'hell' and 'hull'; 'conceal' displaced Old English 'deagan'
3
Stage 3 of 3
conceal
English · 1300s
"to hide"
'concealed carry' is 1900s American law
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Read the full story

Conceal’s story begins in Latin: concelare meant “to hide.” 'com-' plus 'celare', to hide. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as conceler. Latin 'celare', to hide, comes from the same root as English 'hell' and 'hull'; 'conceal' displaced Old English 'deagan'. It reached English by 1300s as conceal. 'concealed carry' is 1900s American law. Today, conceal means to keep from sight.