Style Was Once a Pointed Writing Tool
Style is a manner of doing something. The Latin word named the stylus used for writing on wax tablets.
Style is a distinctive manner of doing, making or expressing something. Latin *stilus* was a pointed instrument for writing on wax tablets, and the word moved from the tool to the handwriting it produced, then to the manner of writing, then to manner in general. The path from a physical object to an abstract quality is unusually complete. The spelling with *y* comes from a mistaken association with Greek *stylos*, a pillar.
- A manner of doing. *A distinctive style.*
- Fashion. *In style.*
- A writing tool (archaic). *A stilus.*
- Stylus — the modern form. *A stylus.*
- Latin — *stilus*, a pointed tool. *The source.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | style | A style. |
| Plural | styles | Styles. |
| Verb | style | Style it. |
| Adjective | stylish | Stylish. |
| Related | stylus | A stylus. |
- Her prose style is spare.Writing.
- The jacket is back in style.Fashion.
- Stilus was a writing tool.Etymology.
From tool to abstraction
- Stilus — the pointed instrument itself
- Then the handwriting it produced
- Then the manner of composing what was written
- Then manner in general — of dress, art, behaviour
- The y spelling came from confusion with Greek stylos, a pillar
Old French *stile*, from Latin *stilus*, a pointed writing instrument, later a manner of writing.
Why is style spelled with a y?
From a mistaken association with Greek stylos, a pillar. The Latin original was stilus with an i.
How did a writing tool come to mean manner?
The word moved from the tool to the handwriting it produced, then to the manner of writing, then to manner in general.