Etymology Map
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Literature

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means written works of artistic value

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

1
Stage 1 of 3
litteratura
Latin · ancient
"writing, grammar"
from 'littera', letter
2
Stage 2 of 3
litterature
Old French · medieval
"learning"
book learning
3
Stage 3 of 3
literature
English · 1300s
"learning"
the sense 'written works' dates from the 1700s
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Read the full story

Literature’s story begins in Latin: litteratura meant “writing, grammar.” From 'littera', letter. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as litterature. Book learning. It reached English by 1300s as literature. The sense 'written works' dates from the 1700s. Today, literature means written works of artistic value.