Cutlery
/ˈkʌt.lər.i/noun
Knives, forks, spoons, and other utensils used for preparing or eating food.
Did you know?In medieval Europe, cutlers were specialized craftsmen who made blades, and their trade was important enough to produce the occupational surname Cutler.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*kelh₂-
“To cut or strike; a proposed ancient root associated with cutting tools.”
Classical Latin
Latin
culter
“A knife, blade, or ploughshare.”
Late Latin
Latin
cultellus
“A small knife; a diminutive form of culter.”
12th–13th Century
Old French
coutel
“Knife; a blade or cutting instrument.”
13th Century
Old French
coutellerie
“The craft or trade of making knives and bladed tools.”
14th Century onward
English
cutlery
“Knives and other cutting implements; later, eating utensils generally.”