Panini
/pəˈniːni/noun
A usually grilled Italian sandwich made with bread and a savory filling.
Did you know?Panini comes from Italian panino, a diminutive of pane “bread,” ultimately linked to Latin panis—the same bread-root behind companion, literally someone you share bread with.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*peh₂-
“To protect or feed; a proposed ancient root associated with nourishment and food terms.”
Classical Latin
Latin
panis
“Bread; the staple loaf or food made from grain.”
Late Latin
Latin
paninus
“Bread-related; derived from panis.”
Medieval Italian
Italian
pane
“Bread.”
Modern Italian
Italian
panino / panini
“Panino: little bread or small sandwich; panini: plural, little breads or sandwiches.”
20th Century
English
panini
“An Italian-style grilled or pressed sandwich, commonly used in English as a singular noun as well as a plural.”