Etymology Map
Back to all words

Country

3 stages from Vulgar Latin to English.

Today it means a nation; rural areas

Where does the word "country" come from? It comes from Vulgar Latin contrata, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
contrata
Vulgar Latin · ancient
"land lying opposite"
from 'contra', against: the land spread before the viewer
2
Stage 2 of 3
contree
Old French · medieval
"region"
a district or region
3
Stage 3 of 3
country
English · 1200s
"region"
the sense 'nation' followed, while 'the country' kept 'rural land'
Drag to pan · scroll to zoom
Read the full story

Country’s story begins in Vulgar Latin: contrata meant “land lying opposite.” From 'contra', against: the land spread before the viewer. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as contree. A district or region. It reached English by 1200s as country. The sense 'nation' followed, while 'the country' kept 'rural land'. Today, country means a nation; rural areas.