Etymology Map
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Pasture

3 stages from Late Latin to English.

Today it means land covered with grass for grazing

Where does the word "pasture" come from? It comes from Late Latin pastura, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
pastura
Late Latin · ancient
"grazing"
from 'pascere', to feed
2
Stage 2 of 3
pasture
Old French · medieval
"grazing land"
the same root as 'pastor'
3
Stage 3 of 3
pasture
English · 1300s
"grazing land"
'pastures new' comes from Milton's poem Lycidas
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Read the full story

Pasture’s story begins in Late Latin: pastura meant “grazing.” From 'pascere', to feed. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as pasture. The same root as 'pastor'. It reached English by 1300s as pasture. 'pastures new' comes from Milton's poem Lycidas. Today, pasture means land covered with grass for grazing.