cortege

Where does the word "cortege" come from? It comes from Latin cohortem, passing through Italian and French before entering English (1640s).

Cortege’s story begins in Latin: cohortem meant “an enclosure; a retinue of troops.” Com- 'with' plus a root related to hortus 'garden' - originally an enclosure, later a body of troops. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Italian as corte. Narrowed to a noble court. By medieval, Italian speakers had reshaped it into corteggio. Named the attendants who followed a person of rank. French picked it up next, as cortege, around 1500s. From Italian 'corte', court, the royal retinue. It reached English by 1640s as cortege. Adopted for a solemn ceremonial procession. Today, cortege means a solemn procession, especially for a funeral.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient cohortem "an enclosure; a retinue of troops", com- 'with' plus a root related to hortus 'garden' - originally an enclosure, later a body of troops.
2. Stage 2 · Italian · medieval corte "a court", narrowed to a noble court.
3. Stage 3 · Italian · medieval corteggio "a retinue", named the attendants who followed a person of rank.
4. Stage 4 · French · 1500s cortege "a train of attendants", from Italian 'corte', court, the royal retinue.
5. Stage 5 · English · 1640s cortege "a solemn procession", adopted for a solemn ceremonial procession.