virgin

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

Virgin’s story begins in Latin: virgo meant “maiden.” The zodiac sign Virgo keeps the word. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as virgine. The Virgin Mary made it central in medieval faith. It reached English by 1200s as virgin. 'virgin' forest and 'virgin' olive oil date from the 1600s–1900s. Today, virgin means a person who has never had sex; untouched.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient virgo "maiden", the zodiac sign Virgo keeps the word.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval virgine "maiden", the Virgin Mary made it central in medieval faith.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1200s virgin "maiden", 'virgin' forest and 'virgin' olive oil date from the 1600s–1900s.