Vessel
/ˈvɛs.əl/noun
A container used to hold liquids or other substances, or a ship.
Did you know?“Vessel” comes through Old French from Latin *vasellum*, a diminutive of *vas* (“container”), and its long history helped it become both a word for ships and, in religious language, a human being as a “vessel” for divine purpose.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*was-
“A reconstructed root meaning to shine or be bright; the connection to later Latin container-words is not direct and should be treated cautiously.”
Latin
Latin
vas
“A container, vessel, or receptacle.”
Late Latin
Latin
vasellum
“A small container or vessel.”
Old French
Old French
vessel
“A container; later also a ship.”
Middle English
English
vessel
“A container, utensil, or ship.”
Modern English
English
vessel
“A container used to hold something, especially liquid, or a ship.”