Etymograph

English

apron

Apron comes from napron (a napron > an apron), from Middle English naperoun ‘an apron or smock’, and ultimately from Latin mappa ‘napkin’.

  1. Latinc. 75 BCE–200 CEmappa‘napkin’
  2. Old Frenchc. 842–1400napperon
  3. Middle Englishc. 1150–1500naperoun‘an apron or smock’
  4. English1500–presentnapron
  5. Englishtodayapron

attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed

Lineage

  1. Latinc. 75 BCE–200 CEmappa‘napkin’
  2. Old Frenchc. 842–1400napperon
  3. Middle Englishc. 1150–1500naperoun‘an apron or smock’
  4. English1500–presentnapron
  5. Englishtodayapron

The story

For other similar cases of rebracketing, see adder, daffodil, newt, nickname, orange, trickle, umpire.

Linked words

pairs

  • apron and map both from Latin mappa ‘napkin’

through Latin mappa ‘napkin’

mop, nape, 2 more

Today it means

noun An article of clothing worn over the front of the torso and/or legs for protection from spills; also historically worn by Freemasons and as part of women's fashion.

Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.

Etymograph / Latin mappa / apron

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