Espagnol
/ɛs.pɑ.ɲɔl/noun
French for a Spanish person or the Spanish language; also used in some historical English contexts as a style or reference to Spanish things.
Did you know?The word ultimately comes from Latin *Hispaniolus* / *Hispaniolum*, a diminutive form tied to *Hispania* (Spain), showing how Roman place-names could shrink, shift, and survive for centuries in new languages.
Etymological Timeline
Pre-Roman / Ancient Iberia
Unknown
Ispania / Hispania
“The Roman name for the Iberian Peninsula, probably adapted from an earlier local name.”
Late Latin
Latin
Hispaniolus
“A form meaning 'little Spanish' or 'of Spain,' built from the place-name Hispania.”
Old French
Old French
Espaignol / Espagnol
“Spanish; a Spaniard or something from Spain.”
Middle English
English
Spanyol / Spaniol
“An older English borrowing referring to Spanish people or things.”
Modern French
French
espagnol
“Spanish; a Spaniard; the Spanish language.”