English
epergne
Epergne may come from French épargne ‘savings, treasury’.
- Frenchc. 1600–presentépargne‘savings, treasury’uncertain
- Englishearliest quotation 1810epergne
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Lineage
- Frenchc. 1600–presentépargne‘savings, treasury’uncertain
- Englishearliest quotation 1810epergne
Earliest quotation: 1810, anonymous …, London: […] J[ames] F[letcher] Hughes: “[…] his precious helpmate sat grinning at the mischief…”
The story
Uncertain; perhaps from French épargne (‘savings, treasury’), though it is unclear how the new meaning would have been acquired.uncertain The source flags this step as uncertain. Perhaps owing to the typical appearance of an épergne as resembling a balance upon which market goods or coins could be weighed.
Every English word from French épargne
Today it means
noun A table centerpiece, usually made of silver, generally consisting of a central bowl with radiating dishes or holders.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / French épargne / epergne