Park
/pɑːrk/noun
An area of land set aside for recreation, conservation, or other public or private use.
Did you know?In medieval England, a “park” usually meant a privately enclosed hunting preserve, and illegally hunting its animals could bring severe punishment.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
Germanic
*parrukō
“An enclosed area or fenced-in space”
Old English
Old English
pearroc
“A small enclosure, especially for animals”
Medieval Latin
Latin
parricus
“An enclosed tract of land”
12th Century
Old French
parc
“An enclosed preserve, especially for hunting”
13th Century
Middle English
park
“A fenced woodland or hunting ground”
Modern English
English
park
“A public or private area of land used for recreation, preservation, or organized activity”