tureen

Where does the word "tureen" come from? It comes from Latin terra, passing through Latin and French before entering English (1706-1752).

Tureen’s story begins in Latin: terra meant “earth.” The plain word for earth, giving an adjective for things made of earth. Within Latin, it grew into terrenus by ancient. 'of the earth', applied to earthenware. From there it passed into French as terrine by medieval. A feminine noun for an earthenware jar or vessel. It reached English by 1706-1752 as tureen. Borrowed for a covered serving dish, its spelling perhaps reshaped by association with the Italian city of Turin. Today, tureen means a deep, covered dish for serving soup or stew.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient terra "earth", the plain word for earth, giving an adjective for things made of earth.
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient terrenus "earthen", 'of the earth', applied to earthenware.
3. Stage 3 · French · medieval terrine "an earthen vessel, jar", a feminine noun for an earthenware jar or vessel.
4. Stage 4 · English · 1706-1752 tureen "a covered dish for serving soup", borrowed for a covered serving dish, its spelling perhaps reshaped by association with the Italian city of Turin.