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Part

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a piece of something

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

pars→part→part

Latin · ancient

also the root of 'particle' and 'party'

Old French · medieval

used for sides in a dispute

English · 1200s

'part' as a role in a play dates from the 1500s

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Part’s story begins in Latin: pars meant “part, share.” Also the root of 'particle' and 'party'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as part. Used for sides in a dispute. It reached English by 1200s as part. 'part' as a role in a play dates from the 1500s. Today, part means a piece of something.