pulpit

Where does the word "pulpit" come from? It comes from Latin pulpitum, passing through Medieval Latin before entering English (1300s).

Pulpit’s story begins in Latin: pulpitum meant “stage, platform.” Used for the actors' platform in a Roman theatre. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Medieval Latin as pulpitum. Medieval churches raised pulpits so preachers could be heard across the nave. It reached English by 1300s as pulpit. 'the pulpit' stands for preaching itself. Today, pulpit means a raised platform in a church for preaching.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient pulpitum "stage, platform", used for the actors' platform in a Roman theatre.
2. Stage 2 · Medieval Latin · medieval pulpitum "church reading platform", medieval churches raised pulpits so preachers could be heard across the nave.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s pulpit "preaching platform", 'the pulpit' stands for preaching itself.