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Where does the word "council" come from? It comes from Latin concilium, passing through Old French before entering English (1100s).
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Where does the word "council" come from? It comes from Latin concilium, passing through Old French before entering English (1100s).
Council’s story begins in Latin: concilium meant “assembly.” 'com-', together, plus 'calare', to call. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as concile. Church councils. It reached English by 1100s as council. Confused with 'counsel' for centuries. Today, council means an advisory or administrative body.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient concilium "assembly", 'com-', together, plus 'calare', to call.
- Stage 2 · Old French · medieval concile "assembly", church councils.
- Stage 3 · English · 1100s council "assembly", confused with 'counsel' for centuries.