royal

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

Royal’s story begins in Latin: rex meant “king.” King, from regere (to rule). Within Latin, it grew into regalis by ancient. Of a king, kingly, from rex. From there it passed into Old French as roial by medieval. Carried into French for something belonging to or fit for a king. It reached English by 1300s as royal. Settled as the English word for something related to a king or queen. Today, royal means relating to a king or queen, or of exceptional quality befitting royalty.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient rex "king", king, from regere (to rule).
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient regalis "of a king, kingly", of a king, kingly, from rex.
3. Stage 3 · Old French · medieval roial "belonging to or fit for a king", carried into French for something belonging to or fit for a king.
4. Stage 4 · English · 1300s royal "related to a king or queen", settled as the English word for something related to a king or queen.