Etymology Map
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Stature

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a person's height; importance

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

1
Stage 1 of 3
statura
Latin · ancient
"height, size"
from 'stare', to stand
2
Stage 2 of 3
estature
Old French · medieval
"height"
a person's height
3
Stage 3 of 3
stature
English · 1300s
"height"
the sense 'reputation' dates from the 1800s
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Read the full story

Stature’s story begins in Latin: statura meant “height, size.” From 'stare', to stand. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as estature. A person's height. It reached English by 1300s as stature. The sense 'reputation' dates from the 1800s. Today, stature means a person's height; importance.