chisel

Where does the word "chisel" come from? It comes from Vulgar Latin caesellum, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

Chisel’s story begins in Vulgar Latin: caesellum meant “cutting tool.” From 'caedere', to cut. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as cisel. Norman French 'chisel'. It reached English by 1300s as chisel. 'chiselled' features dates from the 1800s. Today, chisel means a tool with a flat cutting edge.

1. Stage 1 · Vulgar Latin · ancient caesellum "cutting tool", from 'caedere', to cut.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval cisel "chisel", Norman French 'chisel'.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s chisel "cutting tool", 'chiselled' features dates from the 1800s.