Etymology Map
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Galley

3 stages from Medieval Latin to English.

Today it means a ship's kitchen; a low oared ship

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

1
Stage 1 of 3
galea
Medieval Latin · medieval
"galley"
from Byzantine Greek 'galaia'
2
Stage 2 of 3
galie
Old French · medieval
"galley"
oared warships of the Mediterranean
3
Stage 3 of 3
galley
English · 1200s
"oared ship"
a ship's kitchen was called the galley from the 1700s
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Read the full story

Galley’s story begins in Medieval Latin: galea meant “galley.” From Byzantine Greek 'galaia'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as galie. Oared warships of the Mediterranean. It reached English by 1200s as galley. A ship's kitchen was called the galley from the 1700s. Today, galley means a ship's kitchen; a low oared ship.