Etymology Map
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Enamel

3 stages from Frankish to English.

Today it means a glassy coating; the hard layer on teeth

Where does the word "enamel" come from? It comes from Frankish smalt, passing through Old French before entering English (1400s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
smalt
Frankish · ancient
"melted glass"
a Frankish word related to 'smelt'
2
Stage 2 of 3
esmail
Old French · medieval
"enamel"
Limoges was famous for enamel work
3
Stage 3 of 3
enamel
English · 1400s
"glassy coating"
tooth enamel dates from the 1700s
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Read the full story

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.