I. ˈlā-bəl noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French labelle
Date: 14th century
1. archaic : band , fillet ; specifically : one attached to a document to hold an appended seal
2. : a heraldic charge that consists of a narrow horizontal band with usually three pendants
3.
a. : a slip (as of paper or cloth) inscribed and affixed to something for identification or description
b. : written or printed matter accompanying an article to furnish identification or other information
c. : a descriptive or identifying word or phrase: as
(1) : epithet
(2) : a word or phrase used with a dictionary definition to provide additional information
d. : a usually radioactive isotope used in labeling
4. : an adhesive stamp (as for postage or revenue)
5.
a.
(1) : a brand of commercial recordings issued under a usually trademarked name
(2) : a recording so issued
(3) : a company issuing such recordings
b. : the brand name of a retail store selling clothing, a clothing manufacturer, or a fashion designer
II. transitive verb
( la·beled or la·belled ; la·bel·ing or la·bel·ling ˈlā-b(ə-)liŋ)
Date: 1601
1.
a. : to affix a label to
b. : to describe or designate with or as if with a label
2.
a. : to distinguish (an element or atom) by using an isotope distinctive in some manner (as in mass or radioactivity)
b. : to distinguish (as a compound or cell) by introducing a traceable constituent (as a dye or labeled atom)
• la·bel·able ˈlā-bə-lə-bəl adjective
• la·bel·er ˈlā-b(ə-)lər noun