Etymology Map
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Petal

2 stages from Greek to English.

Today it means a coloured part of a flower

Where does the word "petal" come from? It comes from Greek petalon, adopted directly into English (1720s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
petalon
Greek · ancient
"leaf"
Greek, from 'petalos', spread out
2
Stage 2 of 2
petal
English · 1720s
"flower leaf"
coined in botanical Latin as 'petalum'
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Read the full story

Petal’s story begins in Greek: petalon meant “leaf.” Greek, from 'petalos', spread out. It reached English by 1720s as petal. Coined in botanical Latin as 'petalum'. Today, petal means a coloured part of a flower.