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Where does the word "marvel" come from? It comes from Latin mirabilia, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).
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Where does the word "marvel" come from? It comes from Latin mirabilia, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).
Marvel’s story begins in Latin: mirabilia meant “wonderful things.” Wonderful things, from mirari (to wonder at). By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as merveille. Carried into French for something causing wonder or astonishment. It reached English by 1300s as marvel. Settled as the English word for something that causes wonder or astonishment. Today, marvel means an object or occurrence that causes great wonder or astonishment.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient mirabilia "wonderful things", wonderful things, from mirari (to wonder at).
- Stage 2 · Old French · medieval merveille "something causing wonder", carried into French for something causing wonder or astonishment.
- Stage 3 · English · 1300s marvel "something that causes wonder or astonishment", settled as the English word for something that causes wonder or astonishment.