Diesel
/ˈdiː.zəl/noun
A type of fuel derived from crude oil, commonly used in diesel engines.
Did you know?Rudolf Diesel, the inventor of the diesel engine, envisioned a fuel that would be both efficient and revolutionary, paving the way for modern transportation.
Etymological Timeline
19th Century
German
Diesel
“Surname of Rudolf Diesel, who developed the diesel engine.”
Late 19th Century
French
diesel
“Referring to the engine type that operates on the diesel-cycle.”
Early 20th Century
English
diesel
“Adopted as a term for the fuel derived from the oil used in Diesel engines.”
Modern English
English
diesel
“Commonly used term for a type of fuel used in commercial vehicles and machinery.”
Explore more surprising origins