Crete
/kriːt/noun
A Greek island in the Mediterranean, the largest of the Greek islands.
Did you know?The island’s name is ancient and pre-Greek in origin, so its deepest meaning is lost to history — which only makes it feel more like a relic from a civilization before the myths.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
Κρήτη (Krḗtē)
“The island of Crete”
Classical Latin
Latin
Creta
“Crete”
Old French
Old French
Crete
“Crete”
Middle English
English
Crete
“The island of Crete”
Modern English
English
Crete
“The Greek island of Crete”