Curate
/ˈkjʊə.reɪt/noun
To select, organize, and look after the items in a collection or exhibition.
Did you know?The word 'curate' stems from the Latin 'curare', meaning 'to take care of', which was also used for priests who cared for the souls of the faithful, intertwining duty with spirituality.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
curare
“To take care of or heal, often associated with sacred duties.”
Middle English
Middle English
curatour
“A person who is responsible for the care of a place, especially a church or a collection.”
14th Century
Old French
curateur
“An overseer or guardian, reflecting the role of care and oversight.”
Modern English
English
curate
“To organize and manage collections, particularly within museums and galleries, linking the act of care with cultural preservation.”