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Where does the word "park" come from? It comes from Medieval Latin parricus, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).
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Where does the word "park" come from? It comes from Medieval Latin parricus, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).
Park’s story begins in Medieval Latin: parricus meant “enclosure.” A Medieval Latin word of Germanic origin, related to 'paddock'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as parc. An enclosed hunting ground. It reached English by 1200s as park. 'car park' dates from the 1920s. Today, park means a public green area; to leave a vehicle.
- Stage 1 · Medieval Latin · medieval parricus "enclosure", a Medieval Latin word of Germanic origin, related to 'paddock'.
- Stage 2 · Old French · medieval parc "enclosure", an enclosed hunting ground.
- Stage 3 · English · 1200s park "hunting enclosure", 'car park' dates from the 1920s.