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Where does the word "quarrel" come from? It comes from Latin querella, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).
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Where does the word "quarrel" come from? It comes from Latin querella, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).
Quarrel’s story begins in Latin: querella meant “complaint.” From 'queri', to complain. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as querele. A formal accusation in court. It reached English by 1300s as quarrel. The sense 'angry dispute' grew from the legal one. Today, quarrel means an angry argument.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient querella "complaint", from 'queri', to complain.
- Stage 2 · Old French · medieval querele "legal complaint", a formal accusation in court.
- Stage 3 · English · 1300s quarrel "complaint", the sense 'angry dispute' grew from the legal one.