Etymology Map
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Chisel

3 stages from Vulgar Latin to English.

Today it means a tool with a flat cutting edge

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

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

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.