Etymology Map
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Counter

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a flat surface for serving customers

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

1
Stage 1 of 3
computare
Latin · ancient
"to reckon"
the root of 'count' and 'compute'
2
Stage 2 of 3
conteor
Old French · medieval
"counting table"
a table where money was counted
3
Stage 3 of 3
counter
English · 1300s
"counting board"
shop 'counters' date from the 1600s
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Read the full story

Counter’s story begins in Latin: computare meant “to reckon.” The root of 'count' and 'compute'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as conteor. A table where money was counted. It reached English by 1300s as counter. Shop 'counters' date from the 1600s. Today, counter means a flat surface for serving customers.