Label

Part of speech: noun, verb

Pronunciation: /ˈleɪ.bəl/

Definitions

1. A piece of paper, fabric, or other material attached to an object that provides information about it, such as its contents, owner, or instructions
2. A sign or mark that is attached to an item to convey information about its contents, owner, or purpose is essential for identification and categorization
3. A small piece of material affixed to an object that delivers essential information regarding its identity, usage, or ownership is crucial for proper understanding

Etymology: The most surprising thing about "label" is that its original sense had nothing to do with marking goods. Medieval speakers used the Old French form "label" or "lambel" for a narrow band or strip of cloth, and its ancestor in Frankish was "lappā," meaning a torn piece of cloth, a rag or a scrap. The same root gave Old English "læppa," a flap or skirt of a garment, and Old High German "lappa," a rag. The word is thus close kin to "lap" in the sense of a flap or loose hanging edge. The shift from fabric to tag happened because a strip of cloth or parchment is an easy thing to attach to something and read. Over time the strip became the message itself, a card or paper fixed to a bottle, box or garment that states what is inside or who owns it. The English word came into Middle English as a term for a narrow band of cloth, and the modern sense of an informative tag developed later from that physical object.

Synonyms: tag, sticker, marker, sign, designation

Antonyms: removal, deletion