scribe

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

Scribe’s story begins in Latin: scriba meant “writer, clerk.” From 'scribere', to write. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as scribe. Medieval monks copied manuscripts. It reached English by 1300s as scribe. 'scribble' comes from the same root. Today, scribe means a person who copies documents.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient scriba "writer, clerk", from 'scribere', to write.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval scribe "scribe", medieval monks copied manuscripts.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s scribe "copyist", 'scribble' comes from the same root.