Etymology Map
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Faculty

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means an inherent ability; teaching staff

Where does the word "faculty" come from? It comes from Latin facultas, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
facultas
Latin · ancient
"ability"
from 'facilis', easy, the root of 'facility'
2
Stage 2 of 3
faculté
Old French · medieval
"ability; branch of learning"
the medieval university's faculties of arts, law and medicine
3
Stage 3 of 3
faculty
English · 1300s
"ability; branch of learning"
the teaching staff sense is American, from the 1800s
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Read the full story

Faculty’s story begins in Latin: facultas meant “ability.” From 'facilis', easy, the root of 'facility'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as faculté. The medieval university's faculties of arts, law and medicine. It reached English by 1300s as faculty. The teaching staff sense is American, from the 1800s. Today, faculty means an inherent ability; teaching staff.