Etymology Map
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Kennel

3 stages from Vulgar Latin to English.

Today it means a shelter for a dog

Where does the word "kennel" come from? It comes from Vulgar Latin canile, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
canile
Vulgar Latin · ancient
"dog house"
from 'canis', dog, the root of 'canine'
2
Stage 2 of 3
kenil
Old French · medieval
"dog house"
Norman French kept the hard c
3
Stage 3 of 3
kennel
English · 1300s
"dog house"
'kennel club' dates from the 1870s
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Read the full story

Kennel’s story begins in Vulgar Latin: canile meant “dog house.” From 'canis', dog, the root of 'canine'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as kenil. Norman French kept the hard c. It reached English by 1300s as kennel. 'kennel club' dates from the 1870s. Today, kennel means a shelter for a dog.