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Where does the word "tapestry" come from? It comes from Greek tapēs, passing through Old French before entering English (1400s).
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Where does the word "tapestry" come from? It comes from Greek tapēs, passing through Old French before entering English (1400s).
Tapestry’s story begins in Greek: tapēs meant “carpet.” Greek, possibly from Persian. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as tapisserie. From 'tapis', carpet. It reached English by 1400s as tapestry. The Bayeux Tapestry is actually embroidery. Today, tapestry means a textile with pictures woven into it.
- Stage 1 · Greek · ancient tapēs "carpet", Greek, possibly from Persian.
- Stage 2 · Old French · medieval tapisserie "tapestry", from 'tapis', carpet.
- Stage 3 · English · 1400s tapestry "woven hanging", the Bayeux Tapestry is actually embroidery.