Etymology Map
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Garment

3 stages from Frankish to English.

Today it means an item of clothing

Where does the word "garment" come from? It comes from Frankish warnjan, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
warnjan
Frankish · ancient
"to protect"
a Frankish word related to 'warn'
2
Stage 2 of 3
garnement
Old French · medieval
"equipment, clothing"
from 'garnir', to equip, the root of 'garnish'
3
Stage 3 of 3
garment
English · 1300s
"clothing"
used in the Bible's 'hem of his garment'
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Read the full story

Garment’s story begins in Frankish: warnjan meant “to protect.” A Frankish word related to 'warn'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as garnement. From 'garnir', to equip, the root of 'garnish'. It reached English by 1300s as garment. Used in the Bible's 'hem of his garment'. Today, garment means an item of clothing.