silo

silo

Related: ensilar

Of unclear origin. Perhaps from Latin sirum, the accusative form of sirus (“pit for corn, underground granary”) (compare Latin sīromastes (“pit-searcher”), from Ancient Greek σειρομάστης (seiromástēs)), from Ancient Greek σιρός (sirós, “pit for holding grain”). Alternatively, perhaps from Basque zilo, zulo (“hole”), as silos in the area are typically dug down as opposed to built up. If so, it is a doublet of zulo.