Etymology Map
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Peculiar

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means strange; belonging to one person

Where does the word "peculiar" come from? It comes from Latin peculium, passing through Old French before entering English (1400s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
peculium
Latin · ancient
"private property"
from 'pecus', cattle, once the measure of wealth
2
Stage 2 of 3
peculier
Old French · medieval
"one's own"
a 'peculiar' was a church outside a bishop's jurisdiction, like Westminster Abbey
3
Stage 3 of 3
peculiar
English · 1400s
"one's own"
the sense 'odd' dates from the 1600s
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Read the full story

Peculiar’s story begins in Latin: peculium meant “private property.” From 'pecus', cattle, once the measure of wealth. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as peculier. A 'peculiar' was a church outside a bishop's jurisdiction, like Westminster Abbey. It reached English by 1400s as peculiar. The sense 'odd' dates from the 1600s. Today, peculiar means strange; belonging to one person.