Etymology Map
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Fabric

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means cloth; the structure of something

Where does the word "fabric" come from? It comes from Latin fabrica, passing through Old French before entering English (1400s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
fabrica
Latin · ancient
"workshop, craft"
from 'faber', craftsman
2
Stage 2 of 3
fabrique
Old French · medieval
"building, manufacture"
a made thing
3
Stage 3 of 3
fabric
English · 1400s
"building"
the sense 'textile' dates from the 1700s
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Read the full story

Fabric’s story begins in Latin: fabrica meant “workshop, craft.” From 'faber', craftsman. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as fabrique. A made thing. It reached English by 1400s as fabric. The sense 'textile' dates from the 1700s. Today, fabric means cloth; the structure of something.