medal

Where does the word "medal" come from? It comes from Latin metallum, passing through Italian before entering English (1580s).

Medal’s story begins in Latin: metallum meant “metal.” Metal, the material from which commemorative discs were struck. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Italian as medaglia. Settled in Italian for a metal disc awarded or worn as a token. It reached English by 1580s as medal. Italian 'medaglia'; Pisanello cast some of the first Renaissance portrait medals. Today, medal means a metal disc awarded for an achievement, victory, or act of bravery.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient metallum "metal", metal, the material from which commemorative discs were struck.
2. Stage 2 · Italian · medieval medaglia "a metal disc awarded as a token", settled in Italian for a metal disc awarded or worn as a token.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1580s medal "a metal disc awarded for achievement or bravery", Italian 'medaglia'; Pisanello cast some of the first Renaissance portrait medals.