August 02, 2014, 06:07
GeoffMorcellation?
Why the use of a "c" in
morcellation when the word is derived from the same root as
morsel?
https://www.google.com/webhp?s...q=morsel%20etymologyAugust 02, 2014, 20:22
bethree5Just a layman here... the word was spelled "morsel" in both Engl & French (including the version of French that was used in England, in court & society for centuries after the Norman conquest) until about the 15thc., at which point the French started spelling it "morceau" (while it stayed "morsel" in English). I gather the word 'morcellation' is medical? (no Fr equivalent) Not sure why the scientists chose a Frankish spelling.
August 03, 2014, 16:39
goofyThe OED says morcellation was borrowed from French morceler "to divide", influenced by some other French words like morcellement. I guess the French words were respelled with c because s and c represented the same sound in that environment.
August 03, 2014, 17:32
GeoffI guess that explains the Anglo-French mime Morsel Morceau.

August 15, 2014, 20:11
KallehI've been wondering about that word
morcellation, too, since it has been so much in the news. I had no idea it came from
morsel, but that makes perfect sense.