entourage

Where does the word "entourage" come from? It comes from Latin tornare, passing through French before entering English (1830s).

Entourage’s story begins in Latin: tornare meant “to turn.” The root of 'turn'. By 1800s, the word had taken hold in French as entourage. From 'entourer', to surround. It reached English by 1830s as entourage. The sense 'group of attendants' dates from the 1800s. Today, entourage means a group of people attending an important person.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient tornare "to turn", the root of 'turn'.
2. Stage 2 · French · 1800s entourage "surroundings", from 'entourer', to surround.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1830s entourage "surroundings", the sense 'group of attendants' dates from the 1800s.