Etymology Map
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Veil

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a piece of fabric worn over the face or head

Where does the word "veil" come from? It comes from Latin velum, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
velum
Latin · ancient
"sail, curtain"
the root of 'reveal', to draw back the veil
2
Stage 2 of 3
veile
Old French · medieval
"veil"
a nun's head covering
3
Stage 3 of 3
veil
English · 1200s
"head covering"
'to veil' as to hide dates from the 1300s
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Read the full story

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.