Etymology Map
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Office

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a room for business; a position of authority

Where does the word "office" come from? It comes from Latin officium, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
officium
Latin · ancient
"duty, service"
'opus', work, plus 'facere', to do
2
Stage 2 of 3
office
Old French · medieval
"duty, position"
a duty or post
3
Stage 3 of 3
office
English · 1200s
"duty"
the sense 'place of work' dates from the 1300s
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Read the full story

Office’s story begins in Latin: officium meant “duty, service.” 'opus', work, plus 'facere', to do. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as office. A duty or post. It reached English by 1200s as office. The sense 'place of work' dates from the 1300s. Today, office means a room for business; a position of authority.