mitten

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

Mitten’s story begins in Old French: mite meant “pet name for a cat.” Possibly the source, for the mitten's soft fur-like feel. Within Old French, it grew into mitaine by medieval. A glove without separate fingers, from 'mite' plus a diminutive ending. It reached English by 1300s as mitten. The 'mitt' is a shortened form. Today, mitten means a glove with one section for four fingers.

1. Stage 1 · Old French · medieval mite "pet name for a cat", possibly the source, for the mitten's soft fur-like feel.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval mitaine "mitten", a glove without separate fingers, from 'mite' plus a diminutive ending.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s mitten "mitten", the 'mitt' is a shortened form.