palate

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

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.

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