Etymology Map
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Palate

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means the roof of the mouth; a sense of taste

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

1
Stage 1 of 3
palatum
Latin · ancient
"roof of the mouth"
possibly of Etruscan origin
2
Stage 2 of 3
palat
Old French · medieval
"palate"
ancient physicians thought the palate was the seat of taste
3
Stage 3 of 3
palate
English · 1300s
"roof of the mouth"
'palate' as taste dates from the 1300s
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Read the full story

Palate’s story begins in Latin: palatum meant “roof of the mouth.” Possibly of Etruscan origin. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as palat. Ancient physicians thought the palate was the seat of taste. It reached English by 1300s as palate. 'palate' as taste dates from the 1300s. Today, palate means the roof of the mouth; a sense of taste.