Etymology Map
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Violet

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a small purple flower; a bluish-purple colour

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

1
Stage 1 of 3
viola
Latin · ancient
"violet"
possibly related to Greek 'ion', violet
2
Stage 2 of 3
violete
Old French · medieval
"small violet"
a diminutive of 'viole'
3
Stage 3 of 3
violet
English · 1300s
"the flower"
the colour name dates from the 1300s too
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Read the full story

Violet’s story begins in Latin: viola meant “violet.” Possibly related to Greek 'ion', violet. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as violete. A diminutive of 'viole'. It reached English by 1300s as violet. The colour name dates from the 1300s too. Today, violet means a small purple flower; a bluish-purple colour.