Definition of tile

The word "tile" derives from the Old French word "teul" or "tuile," which in turn was borrowed from the Latin term "tegula" meaning a roof tile. "Tegula" itself can be traced back to the Etruscan language, where it was called "τεγ--------" ("tègulā" in Etruscan script). The Etruscans were an ancient civilization that inhabited central Italy around 700 BCE to 27 BCE. They used the term "tègulā" to refer to a type of roof tile made of terracotta, or clay fired at a high temperature. The tiles were typically rectangular in shape with a concave back and a flat front, making them ideal for covering roofs and adding decorative patterns to walls. The term "tile" was adopted by the French around the 12th century and by the English during the Middle Ages as trade and cultural exchange increased between Europe and the Mediterranean. Today, the word "tile" is used to refer to a variety of materials, such as ceramic, stone, metal, and glass, that are used to cover roofs, floors, walls, and other surfaces for their durability, decorative value, and technical properties.