enamel etymology

Etymology of "enamel"

The word "enamel" originates from the Old French word "esmaillier", which in turn comes from the Medieval Latin word "smaltum". "Smaltum" is derived from the Germanic word "smeltan", which means "to melt".

Meaning and Origin of "enamel"

Enamel is a hard, vitreous substance that is applied to metal, glass, or ceramic as a protective or decorative coating. It is composed of silica, borax, and other minerals, and is typically fused to the substrate by heating it to a high temperature.

The origin of enamel can be traced back to ancient Egypt, where it was used to decorate jewelry and other objects. The Egyptians developed a technique for creating enamel by mixing ground glass with metal oxides and heating it to a high temperature. This technique was later adopted by the Romans, who used enamel to decorate armor and other metal objects.

In the Middle Ages, enamel was used to create beautiful and intricate works of art, including jewelry, reliquaries, and other religious objects. Enamel was also used to decorate armor and weapons, and was often used to create heraldic devices.

Today, enamel is still used to create a variety of decorative and functional objects, including jewelry, cookware, and even dental fillings. It is also used in industrial applications, such as coating metal surfaces to protect them from corrosion.

enamel relate terms

  • smelt

    Etymology The word smelt comes from the Old English verb smelten which means to me

  • melt

    Etymology The word melt comes from the Old English word meltan which is related to t

  • enamel

    Etymology of enamel The word enamel originates from the Old French word esmaillier

  • enamel

    Etymology of enamel The word enamel originates from the Old French word esmaillier

  • e mail

    Etymology The term email is an abbreviation of electronic mail It was coined in the

  • fire

    Etymology The word fire comes from the Old English fīr which is ultimately derived

  • rife

    Etymology The word rife comes from the Middle English word rife which in turn comes

  • compound

    Etymology Compound a word formed from two or more root words or morphemes Meaning

  • pigment

    Etymology and Origin The term pigment comes from the Latin word pigmentum which mean

  • ornament

  • grace

    Etymology Latin gratia favor thankfulness grace Meaning Favor kindness or good

  • decorate

    Etymology Latin decorare to adorn beautify Proto Indo European deḱ to grow

  • adorn

    Etymology Old French adourner Latin adornāre Proto Indo European h₁derə to p

  • crown

    Etymology Middle English corone from Old French corone from Latin corona from Gree