Etymology Map
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Flower

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means the blossom of a plant

Where does the word "flower" come from? It comes from Latin flos, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
flos
Latin · ancient
"flower"
the root of 'flora', 'florist' and 'flourish'
2
Stage 2 of 3
flor
Old French · medieval
"flower; the best"
'the flower of' meant the finest part
3
Stage 3 of 3
flower
English · 1200s
"blossom"
'flour' is the same word, the 'flower' or finest part of ground grain
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Read the full story

Flower’s story begins in Latin: flos meant “flower.” The root of 'flora', 'florist' and 'flourish'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as flor. 'the flower of' meant the finest part. It reached English by 1200s as flower. 'flour' is the same word, the 'flower' or finest part of ground grain. Today, flower means the blossom of a plant.