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Where does the word "view" come from? It comes from Latin videre, passing through Old French before entering English (1400s).
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Where does the word "view" come from? It comes from Latin videre, passing through Old French before entering English (1400s).
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.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient videre "to see", the root of 'video' and 'vision'.
- Stage 2 · Old French · medieval veue "sight", past participle of 'veoir', to see.
- Stage 3 · English · 1400s view "sight", 'point of view' dates from the 1700s.