companion
kuhm-PAN-yuhn · noun
Origin
From Latin com- (together) and panis (bread), by way of Old French compaignon — literally “one who breaks bread with you.”
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Journey
The concrete image of a shared meal broadened into the general sense of anyone who accompanies you, with no bread — or food at all — required anymore.
Related words
The same panis gives English pantry (where bread was kept), and, through French, company and accompany.
More words
From Old French
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