pail

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

Pail’s story begins in Latin: patella meant “small pan.” A diminutive of 'patina', pan. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as paele. Possibly blended with Old English 'pægel', a small measure. It reached English by 1300s as pail. 'pail' remains common in American English. Today, pail means a bucket.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient patella "small pan", a diminutive of 'patina', pan.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval paele "pan", possibly blended with Old English 'pægel', a small measure.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s pail "bucket", 'pail' remains common in American English.