style

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

Style’s story begins in Latin: stilus meant “writing stake.” A pointed tool for writing on wax tablets; the y came from confusion with Greek 'stylos', pillar. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as stile. Came to mean a manner of expression. It reached English by 1300s as style. The fashion sense dates from the 1800s. Today, style means a distinctive manner; elegance.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient stilus "writing stake", a pointed tool for writing on wax tablets; the y came from confusion with Greek 'stylos', pillar.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval stile "pen; manner of writing", came to mean a manner of expression.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s style "manner of writing", the fashion sense dates from the 1800s.