Etymology Map
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Parasol

3 stages from Italian to English.

Today it means a light umbrella giving shade from the sun

Where does the word "parasol" come from? It comes from Italian parasole, passing through French before entering English (1610s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
parasole
Italian · 1500s
"sunshade"
'para', ward off, plus 'sole', sun
2
Stage 2 of 3
parasol
French · 1600s
"sunshade"
a fashionable accessory at the French court
3
Stage 3 of 3
parasol
English · 1610s
"sunshade"
'umbrella' came from Italian too, from 'ombra', shade
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Read the full story

Parasol’s story begins in Italian: parasole meant “sunshade.” 'para', ward off, plus 'sole', sun. By 1600s, the word had taken hold in French as parasol. A fashionable accessory at the French court. It reached English by 1610s as parasol. 'umbrella' came from Italian too, from 'ombra', shade. Today, parasol means a light umbrella giving shade from the sun.