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Emblem

3 stages from Greek to English.

Today it means a design or symbol representing a group or idea

Where does the word "emblem" come from? It comes from Greek emblēma, passing through Latin before entering English (1580s).

emblēma→emblema→emblem

Greek · ancient

from 'emballein', to throw in: an inlaid ornament

Latin · ancient

a mosaic inlay; Roman villas often had an emblema at the centre of the floor

English · 1580s

"a symbolic image"

Renaissance 'emblem books' paired images with moral verses

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Read the full story

Emblem’s story begins in Greek: emblēma meant “inlay.” From 'emballein', to throw in: an inlaid ornament. By ancient, the word had taken hold in Latin as emblema. A mosaic inlay; Roman villas often had an emblema at the centre of the floor. It reached English by 1580s as emblem. Renaissance 'emblem books' paired images with moral verses. Today, emblem means a design or symbol representing a group or idea.