Middle French refers to the stage of the French language spoken and written from the 14th to the 17th centuries. It evolved from Old French and was characterized by significant changes in grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation. This period saw the influence of Latin and Occitan, as well as the emergence of a more standardized form of the language. During the Middle French period, literature flourished, with notable works by authors such as François Villon and Marguerite de Navarre. The language began to stabilize, paving the way for Modern French. The transition included the adoption of new words and the simplification of grammatical structures.