medal etymology

Etymology:

  • Old French:medaille
  • Latin: medalia, plural of medalium, a coin box or case
  • Late Latin: medallus, medal, diminutive of medius, middle

Meaning:

A flat, round piece of metal, typically inscribed or decorated, awarded to commemorate an achievement, honor a person, or mark an event.

Origin:

The word "medal" traces its roots back to the Latin term "medallus," which referred to a small coin or a medallion used in ancient Rome. The diminutive suffix "-olus" was added to "medius," meaning "middle," to denote a small object in the center of a larger one.

In the Middle Ages, the term "medal" came to be used for commemorative badges or tokens, often worn as pendants. These medals were typically made of metal and bore images and inscriptions related to specific events, religious figures, or rulers.

Over time, the use of medals expanded to include awards for achievements in various fields, such as sports, the arts, and military service. Today, medals are widely recognized as symbols of honor, recognition, and accomplishment.

medal relate terms

  • metal

    Etymology The word metal is derived from the Late Latin word metāllum which is ulti

  • medalist

    Etymology The word medalist comes from the Latin word medalla which means metal dis

  • medal

    Etymology Old French medaille Latin medalia plural of medalium a coin box or case La

  • decoration

    Etymology Latin decoratio From decorare meaning to decorate adorn From the Pro

  • palm

    Etymology of Palm The word palm comes from the Latin word palma which itself is d

  • ribbon

    Etymology The word ribbon originates from the Middle English word riban which itsel

  • decorate

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

  • flop

    Etymology The word flop has several possible etymologies Onomatopoeia It may be der

  • gold

    Etymology The word gold derives from the Old English word gold which is itself deriv

  • legend

    Etymology of Legend The word legend has an interesting etymological history Latin

  • accolade

    Etymology Middle English acolade from Old French acolade from Late Latin accollata

  • coordinate

    Etymology Latin coordinare meaning to arrange to order to put in order From the pr

  • lamp

    Etymology The word lamp comes from the Greek word λάμπω lampō meaning to sh