restaurant

Where does the word "restaurant" come from? It comes from Latin restaurare, passing through French before entering English (1827).

Restaurant’s story begins in Latin: restaurare meant “to rebuild, to renew.” To rebuild, to renew, from re- (again) and staurare (to erect, related to stare). By medieval, the word had taken hold in French as restaurer. Carried into French for restoring strength, especially through food. By 1765, French speakers had reshaped it into restaurant. A restorative food or broth, later a place serving such food, present participle of restaurer. It reached English by 1827 as restaurant. French 'restoring'; restaurants first sold restorative broths in 1760s Paris. Today, restaurant means a business establishment where meals are prepared and served to paying customers.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient restaurare "to rebuild, to renew", to rebuild, to renew, from re- (again) and staurare (to erect, related to stare).
2. Stage 2 · French · medieval restaurer "to restore strength, especially through food", carried into French for restoring strength, especially through food.
3. Stage 3 · French · 1765 restaurant "a place serving restorative food", a restorative food or broth, later a place serving such food, present participle of restaurer.
4. Stage 4 · English · 1827 restaurant "an establishment where meals are served to customers", French 'restoring'; restaurants first sold restorative broths in 1760s Paris.