Spadeful
/ˈspeɪd.fʊl/noun
The amount that a spade can hold; as much as one spade can carry.
Did you know?Unlike words such as *spell* or *glamour*, *spadeful* has no occult origin, but it does preserve the ancient Germanic tool-word *spade*, tied to digging up what’s buried.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*spe-d- / *spē-
“A proposed ancient root connected with digging or cutting tools, though the exact prehistory of *spade* is uncertain.”
Old English
OE
spadu, spæd
“A spade, a digging tool.”
Middle English
ME
spade
“A spade or digging implement.”
15th Century
English
spadeful
“As much as a spade can hold.”
Modern English
English
spadeful
“The amount that fits on one spade blade.”