silo
UK[ˈsaɪləʊ]US[ˈsaɪloʊ]
n
a tall tower or pit on a farm used to store grain
n
an underground structure for holding and launching a missile
n
a system, process, or department that operates in isolation from others
Etymology
the word 'silo' entered english in the 1830s from spanish, where it originally denoted a pit or cellar for storing grain. the spanish term can be traced back to the latin 'sirus', meaning an underground granary, which itself was borrowed from the greek 'siros' (σίρος), a term for a corn pit. the greek word is likely of pre-greek, non-indo-european origin. the meaning expanded in the 20th century, first to describe airtight towers for storing fodder, then to missile launch structures, and finally metaphorically to any isolated system or department, reflecting its core concept of separate containment.
Analysis
this word is a simplex loanword. it does not contain separable morphemes within its modern english spelling.
Examples
the farmer filled the silo with corn for the winter.
the military base has several reinforced silos housing intercontinental ballistic missiles.
breaking down information silos within the company improved collaboration and efficiency.