Etymology Map
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Plague

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a deadly contagious disease

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

1
Stage 1 of 3
plaga
Latin · ancient
"blow, wound"
from Greek 'plēgē', stroke
2
Stage 2 of 3
plage
Old French · medieval
"wound, affliction"
a divine blow or affliction
3
Stage 3 of 3
plague
English · 1300s
"affliction"
the Great Plague of London struck in 1665
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Read the full story

Plague’s story begins in Latin: plaga meant “blow, wound.” From Greek 'plēgē', stroke. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as plage. A divine blow or affliction. It reached English by 1300s as plague. The Great Plague of London struck in 1665. Today, plague means a deadly contagious disease.