Tonsil
/ˈtɒn.səl/noun
Either of two masses of lymphoid tissue in the throat that help defend the body against infection.
Did you know?The word comes from Latin *tonsillae*, a name probably linked to *tonsa* (“shearing”), because the tonsils were imagined as something “cut” or “clipped” in the throat rather than anything mystical.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
tonsillae
“the tonsils”
Late Latin
Latin
tonsilla
“one tonsil”
Old French
Old French
tonsille
“tonsil”
Middle English
English
tonsile
“tonsil”
Modern English
English
tonsil
“either of the paired masses of lymphoid tissue in the throat”