pen

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

Pen’s story begins in Latin: penna meant “feather.” The root of 'pennant'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as penne. Writing was done with goose feathers. It reached English by 1300s as pen. 'fountain pen' dates from the 1700s. Today, pen means an instrument for writing with ink.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient penna "feather", the root of 'pennant'.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval penne "quill pen", writing was done with goose feathers.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s pen "quill", 'fountain pen' dates from the 1700s.