Etymology Map
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Portal

3 stages from Medieval Latin to English.

Today it means a doorway or gate

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

1
Stage 1 of 3
porta
Medieval Latin · medieval
"gate"
the root of 'port' and 'porch'
2
Stage 2 of 3
portal
Old French · medieval
"gate"
a grand entrance
3
Stage 3 of 3
portal
English · 1300s
"door"
internet 'portals' date from the 1990s
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Read the full story

Portal’s story begins in Medieval Latin: porta meant “gate.” The root of 'port' and 'porch'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as portal. A grand entrance. It reached English by 1300s as portal. Internet 'portals' date from the 1990s. Today, portal means a doorway or gate.