grain

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

Grain’s story begins in Latin: granum meant “seed.” The root of 'granite' and 'granary'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as grain. A single seed of wheat or barley. It reached English by 1200s as grain. 'against the grain' refers to wood fibres. Today, grain means wheat or other cereal crops; a small hard particle.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient granum "seed", the root of 'granite' and 'granary'.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval grain "grain", a single seed of wheat or barley.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1200s grain "seed", 'against the grain' refers to wood fibres.