terrine

Where does the word "terrine" come from? It comes from Latin terra, passing through French before entering English (1877).

Terrine’s story begins in Latin: terra meant “earth.” Earth, the root behind an earthenware cooking dish. By 1700s, the word had taken hold in French as terrine. Settled in French for an earthenware dish, and the layered pate cooked in it. It reached English by 1877 as terrine. French 'earthenware dish', from Latin 'terra', earth. Today, terrine means a dish of coarsely chopped meat, fish, or vegetables, cooked and served in a mold.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient terra "earth", earth, the root behind an earthenware cooking dish.
2. Stage 2 · French · 1700s terrine "an earthenware dish, or a layered pate", settled in French for an earthenware dish, and the layered pate cooked in it.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1877 terrine "a dish of layered meat, fish, or vegetables set in a mold", French 'earthenware dish', from Latin 'terra', earth.