layette

the word 'layette' entered english from french in the 19th century. its french source, 'layette', originally referred to a small box or drawer, derived from 'laie', an old french term for a small piece or coffer. the diminutive suffix '-ette' was added to emphasize the small size. the semantic shift from a small container to the collection of small items for an infant stored within it is a classic example of metonymy, where the container's name came to represent its contents. this evolution reflects the practical, domestic origins of the term.

Structure: lay (small) + ette (diminutive suffix) lay (from old french 'laie', meaning a small piece, of germanic origin) + ette (a french diminutive suffix, from latin '-itta').