Etymology Map
Back to all words

Tissue

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a paper handkerchief; body cells forming a structure

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

1
Stage 1 of 3
texere
Latin · ancient
"to weave"
the root of 'textile' and 'text'
2
Stage 2 of 3
tissu
Old French · medieval
"rich woven cloth"
past participle of 'tistre', to weave
3
Stage 3 of 3
tissue
English · 1300s
"rich fabric"
biological 'tissue' dates from the 1800s; paper tissues from the 1900s
Drag to pan · scroll to zoom
Read the full story

Tissue’s story begins in Latin: texere meant “to weave.” The root of 'textile' and 'text'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as tissu. Past participle of 'tistre', to weave. It reached English by 1300s as tissue. Biological 'tissue' dates from the 1800s; paper tissues from the 1900s. Today, tissue means a paper handkerchief; body cells forming a structure.