Etymology Map
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Quote

3 stages from Medieval Latin to English.

Today it means to repeat words from another

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

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

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.