putty
UK[ˈpʌti]US[ˈpʌti]
n
A soft, sticky substance that hardens after some time, used for fixing glass into window frames or filling holes in wood.
n
A soft, clay-like substance used in sculpture or by children for making shapes.
Etymology
The word 'putty' traces a straightforward path from a concrete container to its contents. It originates from the French 'potée', which literally meant "a potful" – the material (often a calcined powder) contained within a pot. This term was borrowed into English in the mid-17th century. The semantic evolution is logical: the name of the container was transferred to the specific substance it typically held, which was used for polishing glass or, later, for sealing window panes. Over time, the material's composition changed, but the name persisted, solidifying its modern meaning as a malleable sealing or filling compound.
Analysis
The word 'putty' is a simplex loanword. It entered English from French 'potée' (meaning "potful" or "contents of a pot"), which itself derived from Old French 'pot' (pot). Its ultimate origin is uncertain but may be linked to a Low German or Germanic source.
Examples
He used a knife to apply putty around the new windowpane.
The children enjoyed molding figures from colorful modeling putty.
Once the putty dries, it can be sanded and painted over.