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Where does the word "veil" come from? It comes from Latin velum, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).
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Where does the word "veil" come from? It comes from Latin velum, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).
Veil’s story begins in Latin: velum meant “sail, curtain.” The root of 'reveal', to draw back the veil. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as veile. A nun's head covering. It reached English by 1200s as veil. 'to veil' as to hide dates from the 1300s. Today, veil means a piece of fabric worn over the face or head.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient velum "sail, curtain", the root of 'reveal', to draw back the veil.
- Stage 2 · Old French · medieval veile "veil", a nun's head covering.
- Stage 3 · English · 1200s veil "head covering", 'to veil' as to hide dates from the 1300s.