history

Where does the word "history" come from? It comes from Greek historia, passing through Latin and Old French before entering English (medieval).

History’s story begins in Greek: historia meant “inquiry, knowledge.” Meaning "inquiry" or "knowledge gained through inquiry". By ancient, the word had taken hold in Latin as historia. Adopted for a written account of past events. From there it passed into Old French as estoire by medieval. Carried the narrative genre into French. It reached English by medieval as history. Settled as the English word for the study of the past. Today, history means the study of past events, particularly human affairs.

1. Stage 1 · Greek · ancient historia "inquiry, knowledge", meaning "inquiry" or "knowledge gained through inquiry".
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient historia "a narrative of past events", adopted for a written account of past events.
3. Stage 3 · Old French · medieval estoire "a story, history", carried the narrative genre into French.
4. Stage 4 · English · medieval history "the study of past events", settled as the English word for the study of the past.