ovary

Where does the word "ovary" come from? It comes from Medieval Latin ovarium, and was adopted directly into English (1600s).

Ovary’s story begins in Medieval Latin: ovarium meant “the egg-producing organ.” From ovum (egg), the organ producing eggs. It reached English by 1600s as ovary. Settled as the medical word for the reproductive organ producing eggs. Today, ovary means the female reproductive organ that produces eggs.

1. Stage 1 · Medieval Latin · medieval ovarium "the egg-producing organ", from ovum (egg), the organ producing eggs.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1600s ovary "the female reproductive organ producing eggs", settled as the medical word for the reproductive organ producing eggs.