Etymology Map
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Court

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a law court; a royal household

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

1
Stage 1 of 3
cohors
Latin · ancient
"enclosed yard"
the root of 'cohort'
2
Stage 2 of 3
cort
Old French · medieval
"royal court"
a king's household and law court
3
Stage 3 of 3
court
English · 1200s
"royal household; law court"
tennis 'courts' date from the 1500s
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Read the full story

Court’s story begins in Latin: cohors meant “enclosed yard.” The root of 'cohort'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as cort. A king's household and law court. It reached English by 1200s as court. Tennis 'courts' date from the 1500s. Today, court means a law court; a royal household.