Etymology Map
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Grain

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means wheat or other cereal crops; a small hard particle

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

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

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.