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Where does the word "mirror" come from? It comes from Latin mirari, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).
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Where does the word "mirror" come from? It comes from Latin mirari, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).
Mirror’s story begins in Latin: mirari meant “to wonder at.” The same root as 'miracle' and 'admire'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as mireor. Early mirrors were polished metal, a luxury. It reached English by 1200s as mirror. Also used figuratively for a model to imitate. Today, mirror means a reflective surface, usually glass, that shows an image.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient mirari "to wonder at", the same root as 'miracle' and 'admire'.
- Stage 2 · Old French · medieval mireor "looking glass", early mirrors were polished metal, a luxury.
- Stage 3 · English · 1200s mirror "a reflective surface", also used figuratively for a model to imitate.