Etymology Map
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Crown

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a circular ornamental headdress worn by a monarch

Where does the word "crown" come from? It comes from Latin corona, passing through Old French before entering English (1100s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
corona
Latin · ancient
"wreath, garland"
from Greek 'korōnē', something curved
2
Stage 2 of 3
corone
Old French · medieval
"crown"
gave the Norman royal coronation its name
3
Stage 3 of 3
crown
English · 1100s
"a royal headdress"
'the Crown' means the monarchy as an institution
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Read the full story

Crown’s story begins in Latin: corona meant “wreath, garland.” From Greek 'korōnē', something curved. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as corone. Gave the Norman royal coronation its name. It reached English by 1100s as crown. 'the Crown' means the monarchy as an institution. Today, crown means a circular ornamental headdress worn by a monarch.