Truelle
/ˈtruːəl/noun
A small hand tool with a flat, pointed blade, especially one used for masonry or gardening.
Did you know?The word ultimately comes from Latin trua, a ladle or scoop, revealing that early trowels were understood through their scooping—not cutting—function.
Etymological Timeline
Classical Latin
Latin
trua
“A ladle, scoop, or broad vessel used for dipping and serving”
Classical Latin
Latin
truella
“A small ladle; a diminutive form of trua”
Late Latin
Latin
truella
“A small scoop-like implement”
Old French
Old French
truelle
“A mason’s tool with a flat blade”
Middle English
English
truelle
“A trowel or small tool for spreading mortar”
Modern English
English
truelle
“A trowel-like hand tool; chiefly an uncommon or specialized loanword”