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Where does the word "parasol" come from? It comes from Italian parasole, passing through French before entering English (1610s).
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Where does the word "parasol" come from? It comes from Italian parasole, passing through French before entering English (1610s).
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.
- Stage 1 · Italian · 1500s parasole "sunshade", 'para', ward off, plus 'sole', sun.
- Stage 2 · French · 1600s parasol "sunshade", a fashionable accessory at the French court.
- Stage 3 · English · 1610s parasol "sunshade", 'umbrella' came from Italian too, from 'ombra', shade.