dice

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

Dice’s story begins in Latin: datum meant “something given, a lot.” Possibly from 'dare', to give: what fate hands out. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as dé. Plural 'dés' gave English 'dice'. It reached English by 1300s as dice. The singular 'die' survives in 'the die is cast'. Today, dice means small cubes with dots used in games.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient datum "something given, a lot", possibly from 'dare', to give: what fate hands out.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval dé "die", plural 'dés' gave English 'dice'.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s dice "gaming cubes", the singular 'die' survives in 'the die is cast'.