quote

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

Quote’s story begins in Medieval Latin: quotare meant “to number.” From 'quot', how many: to number chapters for reference. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as coter. Medieval scribes numbered chapters and verses so they could be cited. It reached English by 1300s as quote. 'quote' as repeating someone's words dates from the 1500s. Today, quote means to repeat words from another.

1. Stage 1 · Medieval Latin · medieval quotare "to number", from 'quot', how many: to number chapters for reference.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval coter "to mark, number", medieval scribes numbered chapters and verses so they could be cited.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s quote "to mark with numbers", 'quote' as repeating someone's words dates from the 1500s.