Etymology Map
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Vulture

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a large bird that feeds on carrion

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

1
Stage 1 of 3
vultur
Latin · ancient
"vulture"
possibly from 'vellere', to pluck or tear
2
Stage 2 of 3
voltour
Old French · medieval
"vulture"
came via Anglo-French
3
Stage 3 of 3
vulture
English · 1300s
"bird of prey"
'vulture' for a greedy person dates from the 1600s
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Read the full story

Vulture’s story begins in Latin: vultur meant “vulture.” Possibly from 'vellere', to pluck or tear. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as voltour. Came via Anglo-French. It reached English by 1300s as vulture. 'vulture' for a greedy person dates from the 1600s. Today, vulture means a large bird that feeds on carrion.