Here's a breakdown of its journey:
* Latin "umbra" (shade) gave rise to the Latin "umbellula," meaning "little shade."
* This word evolved into the Old French "ombrelle," which referred to a sunshade.
* Finally, the word transitioned into English "umbrella" in the 16th century.
Interestingly, while the word's origins are rooted in shade and sun protection, the modern umbrella is primarily associated with rain protection. This shift in meaning reflects the evolution of the umbrella's function and the way it's used.