Middle French

noun

1. the French language of the 14th, 15th, and 16th centuries. MF, M.F.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Middle French¹

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

“Surface” is a newer word, coming to us in about 1600, according to Webster’s, from the Middle French, which had by then changed the Latin “super” into “sur.”

From Fox News

Civility derives, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, from both the Latin civilitas and the Middle French civilité.

From New York Times

The essay takes its name from Montaigne: essai, Middle French for an attempt or try.

From Los Angeles Times

“Community” is derived from the Anglo-Norman and Middle French communité, meaning, primarily, “joint ownership.”

From New York Times

For more than 150 years franchising–from the Middle French word franchir, “to free”–has given countless thousands a turnkey chance to become their own bosses.

From Forbes