Closet
/ˈklɒzɪt/noun
A small room or enclosed space for storage, or a private room for personal use.
Did you know?In earlier English, a closet was often a private chamber for study, devotion, or confidential meetings, which is why the word still carries a shadow of secrecy and concealment.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*klau-
“to shut, close”
Latin
Latin
clausus
“closed, shut”
Old French
Old French
closet
“a small enclosed place; a little enclosure”
Middle English
English
closet
“a small private chamber or enclosed place”
Modern English
English
closet
“a small room or storage space; also, a private or confidential place”
Explore more surprising origins