vessel

The story

1. Proto-Italic*wāss
2. Latinvās
3. Latinvāsculum
4. Late Latinvāscellum
5. Old Frenchvaisse
6. Middle Englishvessel
7. English todayvessel

Inherited from Middle English vessel, vessell (“small container”); from Old French vaissel (compare modern French vaisseau and Catalan vaixell), from Late Latin vāscellum, diminutive of vāsculum, diminutive of vās (“vase, vessel”).

Words from the same roots

First known use, by meaning

• From c.1300 Any craft designed for transportation on or in water, such as a ship, boat, or submarine.
• From 1915 A craft designed for transportation through air or space.
• c.1300–c.1600 Dishes and cutlery collectively, especially if made of precious metals.
• From c.1300 A container of liquid or other substance, such as a glass, goblet, cup, bottle, bowl, or pitcher.
• from 1382 A person as a container of qualities or feelings.
• From 1398 A tube or canal that carries fluid in an animal or plant.