Etymology Map
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Silt

3 stages from Scandinavian to English.

Today it means fine sand or clay carried by running water

Where does the word "silt" come from? It comes from Scandinavian sylt, passing through Middle English before entering English (1500s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
sylt
Scandinavian · medieval
"salt marsh"
probably Norse; Danish and Norwegian 'sylt' mean a salt marsh, related to 'salt'
2
Stage 2 of 3
sylte
Middle English · 1400s
"sediment"
sediment left in harbours and rivers
3
Stage 3 of 3
silt
English · 1500s
"fine sediment"
silting harbours ruined medieval ports such as Chester
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Read the full story

Silt’s story begins in Scandinavian: sylt meant “salt marsh.” Probably Norse; Danish and Norwegian 'sylt' mean a salt marsh, related to 'salt'. By 1400s, the word had taken hold in Middle English as sylte. Sediment left in harbours and rivers. It reached English by 1500s as silt. Silting harbours ruined medieval ports such as Chester. Today, silt means fine sand or clay carried by running water.