Etymology Map
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Frontier

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a border between two countries

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

1
Stage 1 of 3
frons
Latin · ancient
"forehead"
the root of 'front' and 'confront'
2
Stage 2 of 3
frontiere
Old French · medieval
"front line"
the front of an army
3
Stage 3 of 3
frontier
English · 1400s
"border"
the American 'frontier' dates from the 1800s
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Read the full story

Frontier’s story begins in Latin: frons meant “forehead.” The root of 'front' and 'confront'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as frontiere. The front of an army. It reached English by 1400s as frontier. The American 'frontier' dates from the 1800s. Today, frontier means a border between two countries.