English
ribbon
Ribbon comes from Old French riban.
- Old Frenchc. 842–1400riban
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500riban
- Englishearliest quotation 1648ribbon
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed deepest recorded ancestor
Lineage
- Old Frenchc. 842–1400riban
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500riban
- Englishearliest quotation 1648ribbon
Earliest quotation: 1648, Robert Herrick, Delight in Disorder: “A Svveet diſorder in the dreſſe / Kindles in…”
The story
Likely from a Germanic compound whose second element is cognate with English band.
Every English word from Old French riban
Today it means
noun A long, narrow strip of material used for decoration of clothing or the hair or gift wrapping.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Old French riban / ribbon