Do you speak a little Latin when you say 'castle'?

'Castle' is a word borrowed from Latin 'castellum'. The word entered the English language some time before the 12th century.

castle [noun] [before 12th century]

• a large fortified building or set of buildings
• a massive or imposing house
• a retreat safe against intrusion or invasion
• rook

See 'castle' on the Loan Words Map

See more loan words from Latin.

Etymology: Middle English 'castel' from Old English, from Old French & Latin; Old French dialect (Norman-Picard) 'castel' from Latin 'castellum' fortress, diminutive of 'castrum' fortified place; perhaps akin to Latin 'castrare' to castrate

See more loan words from before 1200.