synagogue

Where does the word "synagogue" come from? It comes from Greek synagōgē, passing through Late Latin and Old French before entering English (1100s).

Synagogue’s story begins in Greek: synagōgē meant “assembly.” An assembly; the Greek Bible translated at Alexandria used it for the congregation of Israel. By ancient, the word had taken hold in Late Latin as synagoga. The building for Jewish worship. From there it passed into Old French as sinagoge by medieval. Synagogue. It reached English by 1100s as synagogue. English Jews were expelled in 1290 and readmitted in 1656; London's Bevis Marks synagogue opened in 1701. Today, synagogue means a Jewish place of worship.

1. Stage 1 · Greek · ancient synagōgē "assembly", an assembly; the Greek Bible translated at Alexandria used it for the congregation of Israel.
2. Stage 2 · Late Latin · ancient synagoga "synagogue", the building for Jewish worship.
3. Stage 3 · Old French · medieval sinagoge "synagogue", synagogue.
4. Stage 4 · English · 1100s synagogue "Jewish house of worship", English Jews were expelled in 1290 and readmitted in 1656; London's Bevis Marks synagogue opened in 1701.