Definition of shovel

The word "shovel" originated from the Old English word "scofolan," which meant "spade-like object used for digging." The word evolved over time, with the Middle English term "schauffen" replacing "scofolan" around the 12th century. This term retained the original Old English spelling of "sc" but with an "auff" sound that developed into modern-day English "sh." In the 14th century, "shauffe" became "shaufel" in the Northern Middle English dialect, which spread to other English dialects. By the 15th century, "shaufel" had transformed into the modern word "shovel" in Middle English. The word "shovel" also has a few related terms. "Spade" is a broader term that refers to garden tools used for digging, while "shovel" tends to refer specifically to a tool used for moving loose materials like dirt, coal, or snow. In the United States, a tool used for moving large amounts of loose material is often called a "shovel" regardless of its specific shape or type, while in the United Kingdom, a similar tool may be referred to as a "spade" or a "spade shovel" for clarification. In summary, the word "shovel" originated from the Old English word "scofolan," which means "spade-like object used for digging." The term evolved and spread throughout English dialects over several centuries to become the modern word "shovel" used to refer to a tool for moving loose materials.