panel

The story

1. Proto-Indo-European · derived from*peh₂n-“fabric”
2. Latin · derived frompannus“cloth, rag, garment”
3. Vulgar Latin · derived from*pannellus
4. Anglo-Norman · derived frompanel
5. Middle English · inherited frompanel“piece of cloth, saddle pad, pane of glass, piece of ice, part, division, jury list, jury members”
6. English todaypanel

From Middle English panel (“piece of cloth, saddle pad, pane of glass, piece of ice, part, division, jury list, jury members”), from Anglo-Norman panel, panelle (“piece of cloth, saddle cushion”), from Vulgar Latin *pannellus, diminutive of Latin pannus (“cloth, rag, garment”), from Proto-Indo-European *peh₂n- (“fabric”). Cognate with Old English fana (“a piece of cloth, patch, banner, flag, vane”). Doublet of vane.

Words from the same roots

First known use, by meaning

• 16th–19th c. To enter (jury members) on an official list of jurors; to empanel.
• 16th–19th c. To fit (an animal, especially a mule or ass) with a panel or simple padded saddle.
• from 17th c. To fit (a room etc.) with panels.