Etymology Map
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View

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means the ability to see; an opinion

Where does the word "view" come from? It comes from Latin videre, passing through Old French before entering English (1400s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
videre
Latin · ancient
"to see"
the root of 'video' and 'vision'
2
Stage 2 of 3
veue
Old French · medieval
"sight"
past participle of 'veoir', to see
3
Stage 3 of 3
view
English · 1400s
"sight"
'point of view' dates from the 1700s
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Read the full story

View’s story begins in Latin: videre meant “to see.” The root of 'video' and 'vision'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as veue. Past participle of 'veoir', to see. It reached English by 1400s as view. 'point of view' dates from the 1700s. Today, view means the ability to see; an opinion.