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Where does the word "shrine" come from? It comes from Latin scrinium, and was adopted directly into English (1000s).
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Where does the word "shrine" come from? It comes from Latin scrinium, and was adopted directly into English (1000s).
Shrine’s story begins in Latin: scrinium meant “a case for keeping documents or relics.” A case or chest for keeping documents or relics. It reached English by 1000s as shrine. Settled as the English word for a sacred place housing holy relics. Today, shrine means a place regarded as holy, often housing sacred relics or serving as a memorial.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient scrinium "a case for keeping documents or relics", a case or chest for keeping documents or relics.
- Stage 2 · English · 1000s shrine "a sacred place housing holy relics or a memorial", settled as the English word for a sacred place housing holy relics.