Etymology Map
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Mitten

3 stages from Old French to English.

Today it means a glove with one section for four fingers

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

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

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.