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Where does the word "enamel" come from? It comes from Frankish smalt, passing through Old French before entering English (1400s).
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Where does the word "enamel" come from? It comes from Frankish smalt, passing through Old French before entering English (1400s).
Enamel’s story begins in Frankish: smalt meant “melted glass.” A Frankish word related to 'smelt'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as esmail. Limoges was famous for enamel work. It reached English by 1400s as enamel. Tooth enamel dates from the 1700s. Today, enamel means a glassy coating; the hard layer on teeth.
- Stage 1 · Frankish · ancient smalt "melted glass", a Frankish word related to 'smelt'.
- Stage 2 · Old French · medieval esmail "enamel", Limoges was famous for enamel work.
- Stage 3 · English · 1400s enamel "glassy coating", tooth enamel dates from the 1700s.