parliament

Where does the word "parliament" come from? It comes from Late Latin parabolare, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

Parliament’s story begins in Late Latin: parabolare meant “to speak.” From Greek 'parabolē', comparison, also the root of 'parable'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as parlement. A conference or discussion, from 'parler', to speak. It reached English by 1200s as parliament. The English Parliament grew from the king's councils of the 1200s. Today, parliament means the highest law-making body of a country.

1. Stage 1 · Late Latin · ancient parabolare "to speak", from Greek 'parabolē', comparison, also the root of 'parable'.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval parlement "speaking; a formal meeting", a conference or discussion, from 'parler', to speak.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1200s parliament "a formal assembly", the English Parliament grew from the king's councils of the 1200s.