quilt

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

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.

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