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Where does the word "eagle" come from? It comes from Latin aquila, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).
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Where does the word "eagle" come from? It comes from Latin aquila, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).
Eagle’s story begins in Latin: aquila meant “eagle.” Possibly from 'aquilus', dark-coloured. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as aigle. The Roman legions carried an eagle standard. It reached English by 1300s as eagle. Replaced Old English 'earn'. Today, eagle means a large bird of prey with a hooked beak.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient aquila "eagle", possibly from 'aquilus', dark-coloured.
- Stage 2 · Old French · medieval aigle "eagle", the Roman legions carried an eagle standard.
- Stage 3 · English · 1300s eagle "eagle", replaced Old English 'earn'.