Etymology Map
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Quilt

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a warm bed covering made of padded layers

Where does the word "quilt" come from? It comes from Latin culcita, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
culcita
Latin · ancient
"mattress, cushion"
a stuffed sack for lying on
2
Stage 2 of 3
cuilte
Old French · medieval
"mattress"
'counterpane' is from its variant 'coute pointe'
3
Stage 3 of 3
quilt
English · 1200s
"a mattress"
later a stitched bed cover
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Read the full story

Quilt’s story begins in Latin: culcita meant “mattress, cushion.” A stuffed sack for lying on. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as cuilte. 'counterpane' is from its variant 'coute pointe'. It reached English by 1200s as quilt. Later a stitched bed cover. Today, quilt means a warm bed covering made of padded layers.