Etymology Map
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Refuge

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a place of safety

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

1
Stage 1 of 3
refugium
Latin · ancient
"place of escape"
're-', back, plus 'fugere', to flee
2
Stage 2 of 3
refuge
Old French · medieval
"refuge"
a shelter
3
Stage 3 of 3
refuge
English · 1300s
"shelter"
'refugee' was coined for French Protestants in the 1680s
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Read the full story

Refuge’s story begins in Latin: refugium meant “place of escape.” 're-', back, plus 'fugere', to flee. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as refuge. A shelter. It reached English by 1300s as refuge. 'refugee' was coined for French Protestants in the 1680s. Today, refuge means a place of safety.