temple

Where does the word "temple" come from? It comes from Latin templum, and was adopted directly into English (1000s).

Temple’s story begins in Latin: templum meant “a consecrated sacred space.” A consecrated space set apart for religious observance. It reached English by 1000s as temple. Settled as the English word for a building dedicated to worship. Today, temple means a building dedicated to the worship of a god or gods.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient templum "a consecrated sacred space", a consecrated space set apart for religious observance.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1000s temple "a building dedicated to the worship of a deity", settled as the English word for a building dedicated to worship.