English
Romance
Romance comes from Old French romanz ‘vernacular language (of France)’, from Late Latin rōmānicē ‘in the Roman manner’, and ultimately from Latin Rōma.
- Latinc. 75 BCE–200 CERōma
- Latin, derivedc. 75 BCE–200 CERōmānus‘Roman’
- Latin, derivedc. 75 BCE–200 CErōmānicus‘Roman’
- Late Latinc. 200–600 CErōmānicē‘in the Roman manner’
- Old Frenchc. 842–1400romanz‘vernacular language (of France)’
- Englishearliest quotation 2013Romance
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Earlier history uncertain.
Lineage
- Latinc. 75 BCE–200 CERōma
- Latin, derivedc. 75 BCE–200 CERōmānus‘Roman’
- Latin, derivedc. 75 BCE–200 CErōmānicus‘Roman’
- Late Latinc. 200–600 CErōmānicē‘in the Roman manner’
- Old Frenchc. 842–1400romanz‘vernacular language (of France)’
- Englishearliest quotation 2013Romance
Earliest quotation: 2013, Geoffrey K. Pullum, Preface: “This book is a fully updated edition of a…”
The story
Extended in the 17th century to all languages derived from Latin.
Linked words
through Latin Rōmānus ‘Roman’
through Old French romanz ‘vernacular language (of France)’
Today it means
noun The group of languages and cultures which are derived from Vulgar Latin.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Latin Rōma / Romance