lesson

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

Lesson’s story begins in Latin: lectio meant “a reading.” From 'legere', to read, the root of 'lecture'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as leçon. Bible readings in church are still 'lessons'. It reached English by 1200s as lesson. The sense 'something learned' came in the 1300s. Today, lesson means a period of teaching; something learned.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient lectio "a reading", from 'legere', to read, the root of 'lecture'.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval leçon "a reading", Bible readings in church are still 'lessons'.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1200s lesson "a reading", the sense 'something learned' came in the 1300s.