education

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

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.

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