Where does “director” come from?

Director comes from Middle French directeur, a term for one who directs or guides others.

director (English): One who directs; the person in charge of managing...

Definitions

director traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

Step	Language	Word	Meaning
1	French	directeur	leading, managing; director; school principal
2	Latin	dīrector	director, guide, overseer
3	Latin	dīrectus	laid straight, arranged in lines, having been arranged in lines
4	Latin	dīrigō	to lay straight; arrange in lines (especially in military contexts)
5	Latin	dis-	asunder, apart, in two; reversal, removal;...
6	Latin	calceus	shoe
7	Latin	calx	limestone; chalk; the finish line
8	Ancient Greek	χάλιξ	small stone, pebble; gravel, rubble

Step	Language	Word	Meaning
1	Middle French	directeur	—