Where does “artillery” come from?
Artillery comes from Middle English artillerie, from Old French artillerie, derived from the Old French verb artillier, from atiller, from Latin aptare meaning to fit or adjust, ultimately from Proto-Italic apō.
artillery (English): Large cannon-like weapons, transportable and...
Definitions
- Large cannon-like weapons, transportable and...
Ancestry of “artillery”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middle English | artillerie | — |
| 2 | Old French | artillerie | collection of military engins, crossbows, lances... |
| 3 | Old French | artillier | to equip, provide with contraptions |
| 4 | Old French | atiller | to arrange, adjust, put on clothes or,... |
| 5 | Latin | aptāre | — |
| 6 | Latin | aptus | suitable, adapted; ready; apt, proper |
| 7 | Proto-Italic | aptos | — |