poem

Where does the word "poem" come from? It comes from Greek poiēma, passing through Latin before entering English (1540s).

Poem’s story begins in Greek: poiēma meant “a thing made.” From 'poiein', to make; a poet was literally 'a maker'. By ancient, the word had taken hold in Latin as poema. Narrowed to a composition in verse. It reached English by 1540s as poem. Arrived via French 'poème'. Today, poem means a piece of writing using rhythm and imagery, usually in lines.

1. Stage 1 · Greek · ancient poiēma "a thing made", from 'poiein', to make; a poet was literally 'a maker'.
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient poema "poem", narrowed to a composition in verse.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1540s poem "a composition in verse", arrived via French 'poème'.