Etymology Map
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Milieu

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a person's social environment

Where does the word "milieu" come from? It comes from Latin medius locus, passing through French before entering English (1850s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
medius locus
Latin · ancient
"middle place"
'medius', middle, plus 'locus', place
2
Stage 2 of 3
milieu
French · 1800s
"middle"
'mi', middle, plus 'lieu', place
3
Stage 3 of 3
milieu
English · 1850s
"surroundings"
used of social environments
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Read the full story

Milieu’s story begins in Latin: medius locus meant “middle place.” 'medius', middle, plus 'locus', place. By 1800s, the word had taken hold in French as milieu. 'mi', middle, plus 'lieu', place. It reached English by 1850s as milieu. Used of social environments. Today, milieu means a person's social environment.