Label Comes From a Word for a Ribbon
A label identifies what something is. The word began as a strip of cloth hanging from a garment or a document seal.
A label is a slip attached to something giving information about it. The word first meant a narrow strip of cloth or ribbon, especially one hanging from a document to carry a seal. From there it moved to any small attached identifier, and then to the act of classification itself. In heraldry a *label* is still a horizontal bar with hanging strips, used to mark the eldest son during his father's lifetime.
- An identifying slip. *A price label.*
- A record company. *An indie label.*
- To classify. *Labelled as difficult.*
- Heraldic label — a mark of the eldest son. *A label of three points.*
- Old French — *label*, a ribbon. *The source.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | label | A clear label. |
| Plural | labels | Two labels. |
| Verb (UK) | labelled | Labelled bottles. |
| Verb (US) | labeled | Labeled bottles. |
| Old French | label | A ribbon. |
- Read the label before use.Product.
- The album came out on a small label.Music.
- Don't label people that way.Classification.
Single or double l?
- Labelled, labelling — British
- Labeled, labeling — American
- Same for travelled, cancelled, modelled
- The British rule doubles the l regardless of stress
- American English doubles only when the final syllable is stressed
Old French *label*, a ribbon or fringe, probably from a Germanic source related to *lap*, a flap of cloth.
Is it labelled or labeled?
Labelled is British, labeled American. The same split applies to travelled, cancelled and modelled.
What is a label in heraldry?
A horizontal bar with hanging points, used to mark the arms of an eldest son while his father is alive.