Etymology Map
Back to all words

Lozenge

3 stages from Gaulish to English.

Today it means a medicated sweet; a diamond shape

Where does the word "lozenge" come from? It comes from Gaulish lausa, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
lausa
Gaulish · ancient
"flat stone"
possibly a Gaulish or Iberian word for a slab
2
Stage 2 of 3
losenge
Old French · medieval
"diamond shape"
used in heraldry for a diamond-shaped figure
3
Stage 3 of 3
lozenge
English · 1300s
"diamond shape"
medicinal 'lozenges' were diamond-shaped tablets
Drag to pan · scroll to zoom
Read the full story

Lozenge’s story begins in Gaulish: lausa meant “flat stone.” Possibly a Gaulish or Iberian word for a slab. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as losenge. Used in heraldry for a diamond-shaped figure. It reached English by 1300s as lozenge. Medicinal 'lozenges' were diamond-shaped tablets. Today, lozenge means a medicated sweet; a diamond shape.