- spatula
- 1525, from L. spatula "broad piece, spatula," dim. of spatha "broad, flat tool or weapon," from Gk. spathe "broad blade" (see spade (1)). Erroneous form spattular is attested from 1607.
- epaulet
- 1783, from Fr. épaulette, dim. of epaule "shoulder," from O.Fr. espaule, from L. spatula "flat piece of wood, splint," later "shoulder blade," dim. of spatha "broad wooden instrument, broad sword," from Gk. spathe "a broad flat sword" (see spade (1)).
- spoon (n.)
- O.E. spon "chip, shaving," from P.Gmc. *spænuz (cf. O.N. spann, sponn "chip, splinter," Swed. spån "a wooden spoon," O.Fris. spon, M.Du. spaen, Du. spaan, O.H.G. span, Ger. Span "chip, splinter"), from PIE *spe- "long, flat piece of wood" (cf. Gk. sphen "wedge"). The meaning "eating utensil" is c.1300 in Eng., probably from O.N. sponn, which meant "spoon" as well as "chip, tile" (development of the "eating utensil" sense is specific to M.E. and Scand., though M.L.G. spon also meant "wooden spatula"). Spoon-feed is from 1615; fig. sense is attested by 1864. To be born with a silver spoon in one's mouth is from 1801. Spoonbill is attested from 1678, after Du. lepelaar (from lepel "spoon").