utensil
/juˈtɛn.səl/ noun
Forms utensils
- noun An instrument or device for domestic use, especially in the kitchen. “We have convenient storage for all the kitchen/eating utensils.”
- noun (often in plural) Specifically, a eating utensil (fork, table knife, or spoon); a piece of flatware or cutlery.
- noun A useful small tool, implement, or vessel. “He stocked up on old-style writing utensils.”
Etymology
From Middle English utensyl, from Old French utensile, from Latin ūtēnsilis (“useful, usable”).
Webster’s 1913
- noun That which is used; an instrument; an implement; especially, an instrument or vessel used in a kitchen, or in domestic and farming business.
Etymology [F. utensile, ustensile, L. utensile, fr. utensilis that may be used, fit for use, fr. uti, p. p. usus, to use. See Use, v. t.]
Sources: Wiktionary · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “utensil”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details