phial

Etymology

The noun has two strands. One is from Middle English fiole, phiole, phial (“small bowl or cup for liquids, etc.; flask”), among other forms, from Middle French fiole, phiole, among other forms, and Old French fiole (modern French fiole), from Late Latin fiola, phiola, from Latin phiala (“broad, flat, shallow bowl or cup”), from Ancient Greek φιάλη (phiálē, “round and shallow bowl, pan, or saucer”), probably from Pre-Greek. The other strand is directly from Latin phiala (as above). The verb comes from the noun. It is a doublet of vial. Its cognates include Catalan fiola, French fiole, Italian fiala, and Old Occitan fiola (Occitan fiòla).