Etymology Map
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Duel

3 stages from Medieval Latin to English.

Today it means a contest between two people

Where does the word "duel" come from? It comes from Medieval Latin duellum, passing through French before entering English (1590s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
duellum
Medieval Latin · medieval
"war"
an old form of 'bellum', war, reinterpreted as from 'duo', two
2
Stage 2 of 3
duel
French · 1500s
"single combat"
a fight between two
3
Stage 3 of 3
duel
English · 1590s
"fight between two"
duelling was banned in England in the 1800s
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Read the full story

Duel’s story begins in Medieval Latin: duellum meant “war.” An old form of 'bellum', war, reinterpreted as from 'duo', two. By 1500s, the word had taken hold in French as duel. A fight between two. It reached English by 1590s as duel. Duelling was banned in England in the 1800s. Today, duel means a contest between two people.