Where does “metal” come from?
metal (Old Portuguese) comes from Old Spanish metal, from Old French métal, from Latin metallum, from Ancient Greek μέταλλον, from Ancient Greek μέταλλευειν — to mine, quarry.
Ancestry of “metal”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Old Spanish | metal | metal |
| 2 | Old French | métal | metal material |
| 3 | Latin | metallum | metal; precious metals, especially gold or... |
| 4 | Ancient Greek | μέταλλον | A mine, quarry, or salt pit; metal |
| 5 | Ancient Greek | μέταλλευειν | to mine, quarry |