Etymology Map
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Hour

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a period of sixty minutes

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

1
Stage 1 of 3
hora
Latin · ancient
"hour, season"
from Greek 'hōra', a season or time of day
2
Stage 2 of 3
ure
Old French · medieval
"hour"
the h was silent in French and stayed silent in English
3
Stage 3 of 3
hour
English · 1200s
"one twenty-fourth of a day"
replaced Old English 'tid' and 'stund'
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Read the full story

Hour’s story begins in Latin: hora meant “hour, season.” From Greek 'hōra', a season or time of day. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as ure. The h was silent in French and stayed silent in English. It reached English by 1200s as hour. Replaced Old English 'tid' and 'stund'. Today, hour means a period of sixty minutes.