place

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

Place’s story begins in Latin: platea meant “broad street.” From Greek 'plateia hodos', broad way. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as place. A town square, as in French 'place'. It reached English by 1200s as place. Replaced Old English 'stow'. Today, place means a particular position or location.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient platea "broad street", from Greek 'plateia hodos', broad way.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval place "open space, square", a town square, as in French 'place'.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1200s place "an open space; location", replaced Old English 'stow'.