Where does “synagogue” come from?
Synagogue comes from Middle English synagoge, from Old French synagoge, from Ancient Greek σῠνᾰγωγή, derived from σύν- (together) and ἄγω (to lead).
synagogue (English): A place of worship for Jews; A congregation of...
Definitions
- A place of worship for Jews; A congregation of...
Ancestry of “synagogue”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middle English | synagoge | synagogue |
| 2 | Old French | synagoge | — |
| 3 | Latin | synagōga | congregation (of Jews) |
| 4 | Ancient Greek | συναγωγή | gathering, collection; a gathering of people,... |
| 5 | Ancient Greek | συνάγω | to bring together, gather together; gather... |
| 6 | Ancient Greek | ἄγω | to lead, fetch, bring along (a living creature), take with |
| 7 | Proto-Hellenic | ágō | to lead, to guide |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | h₂éǵeti | to be driving |
| 9 | Proto-Indo-European | h₂eǵ- | to drive |