Classes
/ˈklæsɪz/noun
Groups of people or things arranged according to shared characteristics, or instructional groups in schools.
Did you know?In Classical Latin, classis meant not only a social or military division but also a fleet, linking the modern idea of “class” to organized forces and public summonses.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*kelh₁-
“To call, summon, or proclaim; this proposed root is associated with several Latin words connected with calling.”
Ancient Latin
Latin
classis
“A division or rank, especially of citizens or soldiers; also a fleet.”
Classical Latin
Latin
classis
“A socially or militarily organized group, and specifically a naval fleet.”
6th Century
Late Latin
classis
“A class, division, or ordered group; the word continued in ecclesiastical and scholarly usage.”
14th Century
Old French
classe
“A category, rank, or division; borrowed from Latin.”
16th Century
English
class
“A group or rank of people, later also a lesson or group of students.”
Modern English
English
classes
“Plural of class: multiple categories, social groups, or instructional groups.”