Etymology Map
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Province

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a main administrative division of a country

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

1
Stage 1 of 3
provincia
Latin · ancient
"area of command"
a territory under a Roman magistrate; Provence in France is named after it
2
Stage 2 of 3
province
Old French · medieval
"territory, region"
used for church and royal divisions
3
Stage 3 of 3
province
English · 1300s
"a region"
'provincial' came to mean unsophisticated
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Read the full story

Province’s story begins in Latin: provincia meant “area of command.” A territory under a Roman magistrate; Provence in France is named after it. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as province. Used for church and royal divisions. It reached English by 1300s as province. 'provincial' came to mean unsophisticated. Today, province means a main administrative division of a country.