Etymology Map
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Education

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means the process of receiving or giving systematic instruction

Where does the word "education" come from? It comes from Latin educatio, passing through Middle French before entering English (1530s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
educatio
Latin · classical
"upbringing"
'rearing, bringing up', from educare; Quintilian's Institutio Oratoria (c. AD 95) plans a child's education from the cradle
2
Stage 2 of 3
éducation
Middle French · 1500s
"upbringing"
revived from Latin by Renaissance writers; Rabelais satirises old-fashioned schooling through the education of Gargantua (1534)
3
Stage 3 of 3
education
English · 1530s
"systematic instruction"
the Elementary Education Act of 1870 set up board schools across England and Wales
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Read the full story

Education’s story begins in Latin: educatio meant “upbringing.” 'rearing, bringing up', from educare; Quintilian's Institutio Oratoria (c. AD 95) plans a child's education from the cradle. By 1500s, the word had taken hold in Middle French as éducation. Revived from Latin by Renaissance writers; Rabelais satirises old-fashioned schooling through the education of Gargantua (1534). It reached English by 1530s as education. The Elementary Education Act of 1870 set up board schools across England and Wales. Today, education means the process of receiving or giving systematic instruction.