Etymology of ambulance
For a while I have been curious about the etymology of the English word 'ambulance' since it seems to be derived from the Latin word 'ambulare' (to walk). This seems a strange origin for the word. People who require medical attention are generally unable to move, much less walk. How did this word end up having the meaning it possesses?
classical-latin etymologia history english
edited 6 hours ago
luchonacho
5,66151459
asked 6 hours ago
StumblerStumbler
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For a while I have been curious about the etymology of the English word 'ambulance' since it seems to be derived from the Latin word 'ambulare' (to walk). This seems a strange origin for the word. People who require medical attention are generally unable to move, much less walk. How did this word end up having the meaning it possesses?
classical-latin etymologia history english
edited 6 hours ago
luchonacho
5,66151459
asked 6 hours ago
StumblerStumbler
1333
New contributor
Stumbler is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
I have edited the title, as it wasn't clear it's relevance to the question. Feel free to undo.
– luchonacho
6 hours ago
@luchonacho I thought it added a bit of levity
– Stumbler
5 hours ago
1
'walker' is not the one who require medical attention, but one who provides it (a doctor).
– hvertous
3 hours ago
add a comment |
For a while I have been curious about the etymology of the English word 'ambulance' since it seems to be derived from the Latin word 'ambulare' (to walk). This seems a strange origin for the word. People who require medical attention are generally unable to move, much less walk. How did this word end up having the meaning it possesses?
classical-latin etymologia history english
edited 6 hours ago
luchonacho
5,66151459
asked 6 hours ago
StumblerStumbler
1333
New contributor
Stumbler is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
For a while I have been curious about the etymology of the English word 'ambulance' since it seems to be derived from the Latin word 'ambulare' (to walk). This seems a strange origin for the word. People who require medical attention are generally unable to move, much less walk. How did this word end up having the meaning it possesses?
classical-latin etymologia history english
classical-latin etymologia history english
edited 6 hours ago
luchonacho
5,66151459
asked 6 hours ago
StumblerStumbler
1333
New contributor
Stumbler is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 6 hours ago
luchonacho
5,66151459
asked 6 hours ago
StumblerStumbler
1333
New contributor
Stumbler is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 6 hours ago
luchonacho
5,66151459
edited 6 hours ago
luchonacho
5,66151459
edited 6 hours ago
luchonacho
5,66151459
5,66151459
asked 6 hours ago
StumblerStumbler
1333
New contributor
Stumbler is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 6 hours ago
StumblerStumbler
1333
asked 6 hours ago
StumblerStumbler
1333
1333
New contributor
Stumbler is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Stumbler is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Stumbler is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
I have edited the title, as it wasn't clear it's relevance to the question. Feel free to undo.
– luchonacho
6 hours ago
@luchonacho I thought it added a bit of levity
– Stumbler
5 hours ago
1
'walker' is not the one who require medical attention, but one who provides it (a doctor).
– hvertous
3 hours ago
add a comment |
I have edited the title, as it wasn't clear it's relevance to the question. Feel free to undo.
– luchonacho
6 hours ago
@luchonacho I thought it added a bit of levity
– Stumbler
5 hours ago
1
'walker' is not the one who require medical attention, but one who provides it (a doctor).
– hvertous
3 hours ago
I have edited the title, as it wasn't clear it's relevance to the question. Feel free to undo.
– luchonacho
6 hours ago
I have edited the title, as it wasn't clear it's relevance to the question. Feel free to undo.
– luchonacho
6 hours ago
@luchonacho I thought it added a bit of levity
– Stumbler
5 hours ago
@luchonacho I thought it added a bit of levity
– Stumbler
5 hours ago
1
1
'walker' is not the one who require medical attention, but one who provides it (a doctor).
– hvertous
3 hours ago
'walker' is not the one who require medical attention, but one who provides it (a doctor).
– hvertous
3 hours ago
add a comment |
1 Answer
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According to this XIX century book (a period when ambulances were still driven by horses):
So it might be related to the fact that ambulances were going around by walking (of horses).
It seems, however, that the word enter into English from French (which itself comes from Latin) in the XIX century. At least that's what the Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology says (here, although paywalled):
moving hospital accompanying an army; vehicle to convey injured. XIX. — F. ambulance, repl. hôpital ambulant ‘walking hospital’, earlier hôpital ambulatoire; F. ambulant — prp. of L. ambulāre walk
More about the French word ambulance can be found here.
answered 6 hours ago
luchonacholuchonacho
5,66151459
1
Similar information not behind a paywall: etymonline.com/word/ambulance
– Carsten S
2 hours ago
add a comment |
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1 Answer
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active
oldest
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1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
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oldest
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active
oldest
votes
According to this XIX century book (a period when ambulances were still driven by horses):
So it might be related to the fact that ambulances were going around by walking (of horses).
It seems, however, that the word enter into English from French (which itself comes from Latin) in the XIX century. At least that's what the Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology says (here, although paywalled):
moving hospital accompanying an army; vehicle to convey injured. XIX. — F. ambulance, repl. hôpital ambulant ‘walking hospital’, earlier hôpital ambulatoire; F. ambulant — prp. of L. ambulāre walk
More about the French word ambulance can be found here.
answered 6 hours ago
luchonacholuchonacho
5,66151459
1
Similar information not behind a paywall: etymonline.com/word/ambulance
– Carsten S
2 hours ago
add a comment |
According to this XIX century book (a period when ambulances were still driven by horses):
So it might be related to the fact that ambulances were going around by walking (of horses).
It seems, however, that the word enter into English from French (which itself comes from Latin) in the XIX century. At least that's what the Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology says (here, although paywalled):
moving hospital accompanying an army; vehicle to convey injured. XIX. — F. ambulance, repl. hôpital ambulant ‘walking hospital’, earlier hôpital ambulatoire; F. ambulant — prp. of L. ambulāre walk
More about the French word ambulance can be found here.
answered 6 hours ago
luchonacholuchonacho
5,66151459
1
Similar information not behind a paywall: etymonline.com/word/ambulance
– Carsten S
2 hours ago
add a comment |
According to this XIX century book (a period when ambulances were still driven by horses):
So it might be related to the fact that ambulances were going around by walking (of horses).
It seems, however, that the word enter into English from French (which itself comes from Latin) in the XIX century. At least that's what the Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology says (here, although paywalled):
moving hospital accompanying an army; vehicle to convey injured. XIX. — F. ambulance, repl. hôpital ambulant ‘walking hospital’, earlier hôpital ambulatoire; F. ambulant — prp. of L. ambulāre walk
More about the French word ambulance can be found here.
answered 6 hours ago
luchonacholuchonacho
5,66151459
According to this XIX century book (a period when ambulances were still driven by horses):
So it might be related to the fact that ambulances were going around by walking (of horses).
It seems, however, that the word enter into English from French (which itself comes from Latin) in the XIX century. At least that's what the Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology says (here, although paywalled):
moving hospital accompanying an army; vehicle to convey injured. XIX. — F. ambulance, repl. hôpital ambulant ‘walking hospital’, earlier hôpital ambulatoire; F. ambulant — prp. of L. ambulāre walk
More about the French word ambulance can be found here.
answered 6 hours ago
luchonacholuchonacho
5,66151459
edited 5 hours ago
answered 6 hours ago
luchonacholuchonacho
5,66151459
answered 6 hours ago
luchonacholuchonacho
5,66151459
answered 6 hours ago
luchonacholuchonacho
5,66151459
5,66151459
1
Similar information not behind a paywall: etymonline.com/word/ambulance
– Carsten S
2 hours ago
add a comment |
1
Similar information not behind a paywall: etymonline.com/word/ambulance
– Carsten S
2 hours ago
1
1
Similar information not behind a paywall: etymonline.com/word/ambulance
– Carsten S
2 hours ago
Similar information not behind a paywall: etymonline.com/word/ambulance
– Carsten S
2 hours ago
add a comment |
Stumbler is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
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I have edited the title, as it wasn't clear it's relevance to the question. Feel free to undo.
– luchonacho
6 hours ago
@luchonacho I thought it added a bit of levity
– Stumbler
5 hours ago
1
'walker' is not the one who require medical attention, but one who provides it (a doctor).
– hvertous
3 hours ago