Etymology Map
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Tutor

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a private teacher

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

1
Stage 1 of 3
tutor
Latin · ancient
"guardian"
from 'tueri', to watch over
2
Stage 2 of 3
tutour
Old French · medieval
"guardian"
a guardian of a minor
3
Stage 3 of 3
tutor
English · 1300s
"guardian"
university tutors date from the 1600s
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Read the full story

Tutor’s story begins in Latin: tutor meant “guardian.” From 'tueri', to watch over. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as tutour. A guardian of a minor. It reached English by 1300s as tutor. University tutors date from the 1600s. Today, tutor means a private teacher.