Etymology Map
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Spaniel

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a breed of dog with long ears

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

1
Stage 1 of 3
Hispania
Latin · ancient
"Spain"
the Roman name for the Iberian peninsula
2
Stage 2 of 3
espaignol
Old French · medieval
"Spanish"
the breed was believed to come from Spain
3
Stage 3 of 3
spaniel
English · 1300s
"Spanish dog"
'spaniel' for a fawning person dates from the 1500s
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Read the full story

Spaniel’s story begins in Latin: Hispania meant “Spain.” The Roman name for the Iberian peninsula. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as espaignol. The breed was believed to come from Spain. It reached English by 1300s as spaniel. 'spaniel' for a fawning person dates from the 1500s. Today, spaniel means a breed of dog with long ears.