Barnacle
/ˈbɑːrnə.kəl/noun
A small marine crustacean that attaches itself firmly to rocks, ships, and other surfaces.
Did you know?In medieval Europe, the word was also tied to the mythical barnacle goose, a famous example of how observation, rumor, and wonder could merge into one “truth.”
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Celtic
PCelt
*barno-
“a kind of shellfish or limpet-like creature”
Medieval Latin
Latin
bernaca
“barnacle goose or goose-like bird”
Old French
Old French
bernaque
“a barnacle goose”
Middle English
English
bernek
“a barnacle goose; later a shellfish”
16th Century
English
barnacle
“a marine crustacean, especially one that clings to hard surfaces”
Modern English
English
barnacle
“a small crustacean that attaches itself to surfaces”