Etymology Map
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Place

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a particular position or location

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

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

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.