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Where does the word "warden" come from? It comes from Frankish wardon, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).
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Where does the word "warden" come from? It comes from Frankish wardon, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).
Warden’s story begins in Frankish: wardon meant “to guard.” A Frankish word, related to 'ward' and 'guard'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as wardein. Norman French form; Parisian French said 'gardien'. It reached English by 1200s as warden. Prison wardens date from the 1500s. Today, warden means a person responsible for supervising a place.
- Stage 1 · Frankish · ancient wardon "to guard", a Frankish word, related to 'ward' and 'guard'.
- Stage 2 · Old French · medieval wardein "guardian", Norman French form; Parisian French said 'gardien'.
- Stage 3 · English · 1200s warden "guardian", prison wardens date from the 1500s.