gallon

gallon · noun¹

1. Proto-Indo-European · derived from*kel-“goblet”
2. Gaulish · derived from*galla
3. Vulgar Latin · derived from*galla“vessel”
4. Late Latin · derived fromgalum
5. Old Northern French · derived fromgalun
6. Middle English · inherited fromgallon
7. English todaygallon

From Middle English gallon, galoun, galun, from Old Northern French galun, galon (“liquid measure”) (compare Old French jalon), from Late Latin galum, galus (“measure of wine”), from Vulgar Latin *galla (“vessel”), possibly from Gaulish *galla, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *kel- (“goblet”). Cognate with Ancient Greek κύλιξ (kúlix, “cup”), Sanskrit कलश (kalaśa, “jar, pitcher; measure of liquid”). Related to Old French gille (“wine measure”) (from Medieval Latin gillō (“earthenware jar”)), Old French jale (“bowl”), Old French jaloie (“measure of capacity”).

Gallon · proper noun²

* As an English and French surname, from the personal name Galun, pet form of Galo, a French form of the old Germanic name Walo; see Wale. * Also as an English surname, variant of Gallion.

Words from the same roots