domino

Where does the word "domino" come from? It comes from Latin dominus, passing through French before entering English (1800s).

Domino’s story begins in Latin: dominus meant “lord, master.” Lord, master, the root behind a hooded masquerade cloak once worn by clergy. By 1700s, the word had taken hold in French as domino. Applied to a hooded masquerade costume, and later a black-and-white spotted game tile resembling its mask. It reached English by 1800s as domino. Settled as the English word for the small rectangular game tile. Today, domino means a small rectangular tile marked with dots, used in games, or a chain reaction.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient dominus "lord, master", lord, master, the root behind a hooded masquerade cloak once worn by clergy.
2. Stage 2 · French · 1700s domino "a masquerade costume, later a game tile", applied to a hooded masquerade costume, and later a black-and-white spotted game tile resembling its mask.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1800s domino "a small rectangular tile used in games", settled as the English word for the small rectangular game tile.