Etymology of 'Wood' and 'Forest'

The term 'wood' originates from Old English, representing various forms of forests, trees, and groves. It highlights its versatility, emphasizing both the material of trees and their wild nature. The word 'forest' derives from French and traces back to the Latin phrase meaning 'outside woods', originally referring to areas designated for royal hunting. This reflects the historical usage where forests were not entirely wild but were controlled environments for sport hunting, differentiated from parks which were often fenced areas for game.