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Plaster

3 stages from Greek to English.

Today it means a paste for coating walls; an adhesive bandage

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

emplastron→plastre→plaster

Greek · ancient

Greek, 'en-', on, plus 'plassein', to mould

Old French · medieval

used both for medical salves and wall coatings

English · 1300s

"medical dressing; wall coating"

sticking 'plasters' for cuts date from the 1800s

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Read the full story

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.