Etymology Map
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Dine

3 stages from Vulgar Latin to English.

Today it means to eat dinner

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

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

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.