Etymology Map
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Pail

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a bucket

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

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

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.