dolphin

Where does the word "dolphin" come from? It comes from Greek delphis, passing through Latin before entering English (1300s).

Dolphin’s story begins in Greek: delphis meant “dolphin.” Related to 'delphys', womb, perhaps for its shape or as a 'fish with a womb'. By ancient, the word had taken hold in Latin as delphinus. Also gave the French royal title 'dauphin'. It reached English by 1300s as dolphin. Came via Old French 'daulphin'. Today, dolphin means a small intelligent toothed whale with a beak-like snout.

1. Stage 1 · Greek · ancient delphis "dolphin", related to 'delphys', womb, perhaps for its shape or as a 'fish with a womb'.
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient delphinus "dolphin", also gave the French royal title 'dauphin'.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s dolphin "a marine mammal", came via Old French 'daulphin'.