vault

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

Vault’s story begins in Vulgar Latin: volvita meant “a turn, arch.” From 'volvere', to roll, the root of 'revolve'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as vaute. The 'l' was restored from Latin in the 1500s. It reached English by 1300s as vault. Bank 'vaults' and pole 'vaulting' came later. Today, vault means an arched roof; a secure room.

1. Stage 1 · Vulgar Latin · ancient volvita "a turn, arch", from 'volvere', to roll, the root of 'revolve'.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval vaute "arched roof", the 'l' was restored from Latin in the 1500s.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s vault "arched roof", bank 'vaults' and pole 'vaulting' came later.