词源 |
capsule n."small case, natural or artificial," 1650s, from French capsule "a membranous sac" (16c.), from Latin capsula "small box or chest," diminutive of capsa "box, case, chest" (see case (n.2)). The medicinal sense is by 1875; its shortened form cap is attested from 1942. The sense in space capsule is recorded by 1954, perhaps from the earlier sense of "shell of a metallic cartridge" (1864). As an adjective from 1938. Related: Capsular. updated on November 06, 2022 |