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Where does the word "fabric" come from? It comes from Latin fabrica, passing through Old French before entering English (1400s).
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Where does the word "fabric" come from? It comes from Latin fabrica, passing through Old French before entering English (1400s).
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.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient fabrica "workshop, craft", from 'faber', craftsman.
- Stage 2 · Old French · medieval fabrique "building, manufacture", a made thing.
- Stage 3 · English · 1400s fabric "building", the sense 'textile' dates from the 1700s.