Etymology Map
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Palace

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means an official residence of a monarch

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

1
Stage 1 of 3
Palatium
Latin · ancient
"the Palatine Hill"
the hill in Rome where Augustus and later emperors built their residences
2
Stage 2 of 3
palais
Old French · medieval
"royal residence"
the name of one hill became the word for any royal house
3
Stage 3 of 3
palace
English · 1200s
"a royal residence"
'palatial' followed
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Read the full story

Palace’s story begins in Latin: Palatium meant “the Palatine Hill.” The hill in Rome where Augustus and later emperors built their residences. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as palais. The name of one hill became the word for any royal house. It reached English by 1200s as palace. 'palatial' followed. Today, palace means an official residence of a monarch.