plaster

Where does the word "plaster" come from? It comes from Greek emplastron, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

Plaster’s story begins in Greek: emplastron meant “salve.” Greek, 'en-', on, plus 'plassein', to mould. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as plastre. Used both for medical salves and wall coatings. It reached English by 1300s as plaster. Sticking 'plasters' for cuts date from the 1800s. Today, plaster means a paste for coating walls; an adhesive bandage.

1. Stage 1 · Greek · ancient emplastron "salve", Greek, 'en-', on, plus 'plassein', to mould.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval plastre "plaster", used both for medical salves and wall coatings.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s plaster "medical dressing; wall coating", sticking 'plasters' for cuts date from the 1800s.