Where does “vial” come from?
Vial comes from Middle English viole, from Old French fiole, from Latin phiala, from Ancient Greek φιάλη, a shallow drinking cup or bowl.
vial (English): A glass vessel or bottle, especially a small...
Definitions
- A glass vessel or bottle, especially a small...
Ancestry of “vial”, step by step
vial traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via Middle English viole
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middle English | viole | Alternative form of fiole |
| 2 | Old French | fiole | vial, phial |
| 3 | Late Latin | fiola | vial, phial |
| 4 | Latin | phiala | saucer; a censer, thurible |
| 5 | Ancient Greek | φιάλη | round and shallow bowl, saucer, or pan |
via Middle English fiole
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middle English | fiole | A receptacle, vial, or bottle or diminutive size;... |