canteen

Where does the word "canteen" come from? It comes from Latin canto, passing through Italian and French before entering English (1744-1803).

Canteen’s story begins in Latin: canto meant “a corner, side.” A word with many senses, here suggesting a corner used for storage. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Italian as cantina. A diminutive naming a storage cellar. From there it passed into French as cantine by 1600s. Borrowed for a supplier's shop attached to an army camp. It reached English by 1744-1803 as canteen. Entered for a military store, then a soldier's water flask, then a refreshment room. Today, canteen means a store or dining area at a workplace or camp, or a container for carrying water.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient canto "a corner, side", a word with many senses, here suggesting a corner used for storage.
2. Stage 2 · Italian · medieval cantina "a wine cellar, vault", a diminutive naming a storage cellar.
3. Stage 3 · French · 1600s cantine "a sutler's shop", borrowed for a supplier's shop attached to an army camp.
4. Stage 4 · English · 1744-1803 canteen "a military store; a water flask; a dining hall", entered for a military store, then a soldier's water flask, then a refreshment room.