Briquette
/briːˈkɛt/noun
A small compressed block of coal, charcoal, or other combustible material.
Did you know?Briquette comes through French from a word for a small brick, and its history is basically the story of turning loose material into a compact, burnable form.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*bʰerǵ-
“to rise, high; related to the idea of a raised structure or mound”
Late Latin
Latin
brica
“brick, tile”
Old French
Old French
briquet
“small brick; also a flint for striking fire”
19th Century
French
briquette
“a small brick or compressed block, especially of fuel”
Modern English
English
briquette
“a compressed block of coal, charcoal, or similar material for fuel”
Explore more surprising origins