ladle
UK[ˈleɪd(ə)l]US[ˈleɪd(ə)l]
n
A large, long-handled spoon with a cup-shaped bowl, used for serving soup, stew, or sauce.
v
To serve or transfer a liquid or food with a ladle.
Etymology
The word 'ladle' originates from Old English hlædel, a tool noun derived from the verb hladan, meaning "to load, heap up, or draw out." This verb itself has deep Proto-Germanic roots (\hladaną), related to the action of lifting and carrying a burden. The semantic evolution is beautifully direct: a tool (-el) for lifting and drawing out (hladan) liquid from a container. Thus, the ladle's function is embedded in its very name, transitioning from the general concept of loading to the specific action of serving soup or stew.
Analysis
The word 'ladle' is a simplex word derived from Old English 'hlædel', formed from the root 'hladan' (to load, draw out) and the instrumental suffix '-el' (denoting a tool).
Examples
She used a large ladle to serve the stew into bowls.
He carefully ladled the gravy over the mashed potatoes.
The soup kitchen volunteer filled each cup by ladling from a giant pot.