Etymology Map
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Order

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means the arrangement of things; a command

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

1
Stage 1 of 3
ordo
Latin · ancient
"row, rank"
originally a row of threads in a loom
2
Stage 2 of 3
ordre
Old French · medieval
"order, rank"
religious 'orders' of monks and knights
3
Stage 3 of 3
order
English · 1200s
"rank; arrangement"
'to order' goods dates from the 1800s
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Read the full story

Order’s story begins in Latin: ordo meant “row, rank.” Originally a row of threads in a loom. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as ordre. Religious 'orders' of monks and knights. It reached English by 1200s as order. 'to order' goods dates from the 1800s. Today, order means the arrangement of things; a command.