Etymograph

English

cathedral

Cathedral comes from Latin cathedra ‘ceremonial chair’, and goes back to Ancient Greek καθέδρα.

  1. Ancient Greekc. 800–300 BCEκαθέδραkathédra‘chair of a teacher, throne’
  2. Latinc. 75 BCE–200 CEcathedra‘ceremonial chair’
  3. Latin, derivedc. 75 BCE–200 CEcathedrālis
  4. Old Frenchc. 842–1400cathedral
  5. Middle Englishc. 1150–1500same form
  6. Englishtodaysame form

attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed

Lineage

  1. Ancient Greekc. 800–300 BCEκαθέδραkathédra‘chair of a teacher, throne’
  2. Latinc. 75 BCE–200 CEcathedra‘ceremonial chair’
  3. Latin, derivedc. 75 BCE–200 CEcathedrālis
  4. Old Frenchc. 842–1400cathedral
  5. Middle Englishc. 1150–1500same form
  6. Englishtodaysame form

Linked words

through Latin cathedra ‘ceremonial chair’

chair, chaise, 11 more

Another origin of cathedral

  1. Middle Englishc. 1150–1500chirche cathederall
  2. Englishtodaycathedral

Today it means

adj Relating to the office of a bishop or an archbishop.

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

Etymograph / Ancient Greek καθέδρα / cathedral

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