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Where does the word "vulture" come from? It comes from Latin vultur, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).
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Where does the word "vulture" come from? It comes from Latin vultur, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).
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.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient vultur "vulture", possibly from 'vellere', to pluck or tear.
- Stage 2 · Old French · medieval voltour "vulture", came via Anglo-French.
- Stage 3 · English · 1300s vulture "bird of prey", 'vulture' for a greedy person dates from the 1600s.