Etymology Map
Back to all words

Cry

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means to shed tears; to shout loudly

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

1
Stage 1 of 3
quiritare
Latin · ancient
"to wail, cry out"
said to mean 'to call on the Quirites', Roman citizens, for help
2
Stage 2 of 3
crier
Old French · medieval
"to shout"
a town crier shouted public announcements
3
Stage 3 of 3
cry
English · 1200s
"to shout"
the sense 'to weep' grew from the noise of weeping
Drag to pan · scroll to zoom
Read the full story

Cry’s story begins in Latin: quiritare meant “to wail, cry out.” Said to mean 'to call on the Quirites', Roman citizens, for help. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as crier. A town crier shouted public announcements. It reached English by 1200s as cry. The sense 'to weep' grew from the noise of weeping. Today, cry means to shed tears; to shout loudly.