dine

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

Dine’s story begins in Vulgar Latin: disjejunare meant “to break a fast.” The same source as 'dinner'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as disner. Eaten late morning in the Middle Ages. It reached English by 1200s as dine. 'dine out' dates from the 1700s. Today, dine means to eat dinner.

1. Stage 1 · Vulgar Latin · ancient disjejunare "to break a fast", the same source as 'dinner'.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval disner "to have a meal", eaten late morning in the Middle Ages.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1200s dine "to eat dinner", 'dine out' dates from the 1700s.