Etymology Map
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Eagle

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a large bird of prey with a hooked beak

Where does the word "eagle" come from? It comes from Latin aquila, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
aquila
Latin · ancient
"eagle"
possibly from 'aquilus', dark-coloured
2
Stage 2 of 3
aigle
Old French · medieval
"eagle"
the Roman legions carried an eagle standard
3
Stage 3 of 3
eagle
English · 1300s
"eagle"
replaced Old English 'earn'
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Read the full story

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.