capsule

Where does the word "capsule" come from? It comes from Latin capsa, passing through Latin and French before entering English (1650s).

Capsule’s story begins in Latin: capsa meant “a box, a container.” A box, a container, from capere (to take, hold). Within Latin, it grew into capsula by ancient. A small container, diminutive of capsa. From there it passed into French as capsule by 1600s. Carried into French for a small enclosing case. It reached English by 1650s as capsule. Settled as the English word for a small case, including a soluble medicine casing. Today, capsule means a small soluble case enclosing a dose of medicine, or a small enclosed container or vessel.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient capsa "a box, a container", a box, a container, from capere (to take, hold).
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient capsula "a small container", a small container, diminutive of capsa.
3. Stage 3 · French · 1600s capsule "a small enclosing case", carried into French for a small enclosing case.
4. Stage 4 · English · 1650s capsule "a small case, such as a soluble medicine casing", settled as the English word for a small case, including a soluble medicine casing.