Etymology Map
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Vessel

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a ship; a hollow container

Where does the word "vessel" come from? It comes from Latin vascellum, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
vascellum
Latin · ancient
"small vase"
a diminutive of 'vas', vase
2
Stage 2 of 3
vaissel
Old French · medieval
"container; ship"
both containers and ships
3
Stage 3 of 3
vessel
English · 1300s
"container; ship"
'blood vessel' dates from the 1600s
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Read the full story

Vessel’s story begins in Latin: vascellum meant “small vase.” A diminutive of 'vas', vase. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as vaissel. Both containers and ships. It reached English by 1300s as vessel. 'blood vessel' dates from the 1600s. Today, vessel means a ship; a hollow container.